[Extract]

... I hope cannon may be obtained at New London or Rhode Island, if not I know of no resource at present but this place and if they must come from here it will be some time before you can have them as they are yet 'to be made. I am continually teazing the. Marine Committee about the canvass but have got nothing yet determined, nor have you wrote me how mucli you shall want. 2 The Committee determined last evening on the nomination of [Continental] Agents which will be reported to Congress to morrow ー I expect my next will advise you of the appointment. I have got the nomination of officers for your ship put off; it is not now as it was when the other ships were fitting out ー then there was a scarcity of officers, but now an abundance of applications; as that is the case the Committee are very critical in exam[in]ing the characters, so if you recommend any that I am not well acquainted with, you must furnish me with a history of them, whether they have been in ships of war, if their courage has been tried their political principles &c. I think New Hampshire can officer one ship very well-we must be very careful that no consideration but real merit influence our recommendations.