[Extract]
Sir.

. . . As to Cloathing I have heretofore represented to your Excellency that it's Manufacture within the State always was and still is inconsiderable. We lost many of our small Stocks of Sheep by the British Plunderers, and the last Year's Crop of Flax failed very generally. Fortune threw some Cloths in our way lately that will be sufficient for more than our Battalion Consists of at present, if you do not Order otherwise; they were taken out of A Schooner, deserted by her Crew, and after forced on our Shore by the Ice.¹ Several of our People as well as others from Jersey were busily employed in gutting of her, when A detachment of the Delaware Battalion, at the instance of Brigadier Patterson,² was sent to take into Possession such of the Cargo as might be of Use to the Army. Cloth's and Spirits were the only two Articles. A dispute arises between the State and those of its inhabitants, who saved the Goods from this Wreck, as to the Property, but in whomsoever it may be determined, I Apprehend our Battalion shou'd have the preference of such part of the Cloth's as Suited for their Uniform, and at the Request of the Field Officers I wrote to General Smallwood making Claim to them. As he declines to allow the Claim until he shall receive your direction therein I have sent A Copy of my Letter to him and his Answer, least in the Multiplicity of Business he shou'd delay Stating that Claim to your Excellency, for if decided in our favour the Cloth's may be immediately made up by A Number of Workmen, whom Col: Pope³ has collected at Dover.. . .I am with great respect [&c.]