Hon^d Sir

By favor of Coll Trumbull,¹ I pend my accounts as far as the present date, it is impossible for me to compleat them untill the many Workmens bills are brot in and discharg’d, the continual Applications from each Vessell renders it impossible for me to bring them to a period.—When the Ships are out it shall be my first business to wait upon your Excellency with All the Accounts, and the proper Vouchers—These accounts begin with Captain Smedleys prises,² I am sorry to Say it, but Capt Bradford³ has never handed me an Account of the disposals of the three Scotch Transports⁴ taken by Capt Harding.—as soon as they are obtain'd I will transmitt them to Lebanon.—Coll Trumbull inform’d me, he had wrote to the Councill for a Sett of six pound Cannon for the Ship Defence, I hope they will be forwarded soon, as it will take some time to fix Carriages &^c: for them—I have lately been under some concern for fear the bread brot in by Capt Harding in the Honor, would not arrive in season for the Vessells it was carried to Hyannas, which Harbor is now shut up, it would be for the advantage of the State to have 50 or 60. or more bbs flour forwarded immediately to be bak'd for the States use, Should the bread arrive from the Hyannas, I should have near enough, but if it should not arrive the Ships must be detain'd for it.—

We have been put to great difficulty in obtaining Duck for the Defences Sails— Capt Deshon⁵ has given me encouragement that the Navy board will lend me some for a Short [time] if I obtain it we shall be able to gett the Defence to sea almost as soon as the Cromwell.—I have purchas'd many articles necessary for their respective Cruizes, I laid myself out in this difficult season, to procure conveniences, and (having lain aside all other business) have so embarras'd my circumstances, as to be oblig'd to request leave to draw for Cash from the State.—

The Accounts not being compleat I could not guard against errors, which perhaps may be in the Accounts I remain [&c.]