Sir/

The Commissioners of the Navy being in want of a Number of Cartridges for the Different Vessels now fitting Out on a Cruise, they will be much Obliged to you if you will Engage some of the Artillery Company under your Command to make and fill with powder Eight Hundred Six pound, Twelve Hundred four pound, & Two Hundred Three pound Cartridges for which the Commissioners will pay them whatever you may think reasonable; they would not by any means have Troubled you on this Matter, but that the Service of the State requires the greatest Dispatch, and that they are well Assured that you will do Everything in your power to promote it—I am [&c.]