Sir.—

Iv'e wrote several Letters to the Honble. Marine Committee, which I fear have miscarried as Iv'e had no Answer, Iv'e for a long time waited for a Supply of Money to pay off the Several Debts which I had Contracted for the Continent, but have received little or none, the Marine Board at Boston¹ are doing every thing in their Power to Supply me, but hitherto they have not been able to accomplish it, there is now large Sums due to several Tradesmen on the Ranger, a large sum due to my Carpenters who have been at work all Winter in the Woods procuring Timber for the 74² have had large number of Teams employed hawling Timber all which is now at the Landings unpaid for all these matters must be immediately discharged, even if I am obliged to Sell my own Estate for the purpose.

It gives me great pain & it is not a little humiliating to me, after Ive pawn'ed my own Credit for Payment not to have it in my power to comply with that punctuality I could wish, Ive long Since paye'd away my Stock of Cash for the Service those Debts which have been Sometimes Standing the money having—Depreciated so amazingly makes the people very uneasy

Knowing the great difficulty the Honble. Congress are at in procuring money for the different Departments Ive' done every thing in my power to put off the payments hopeing Some Continental Prize might come in by which I should be furnished but as that has not happened the time is now come that I must make payments at all events, nothing prevents my arranging the Yard with Carpenters &I could go on next Month (building the 74) with Spirit but want of Cash will prevent it unless immediately Supplied I need not mention the many other Demands I have upon me for Supplies of the French Ship³ & for Transporting the Warlike Stores &ca the Committee must be Sensible of it.—It makes me a little unhappy to be thus Streightened for Money to carry on the Building of Ships here as it's a very disadvantageous to the Continent. tho' I believe may Say without Boasting it has been carried on with as much advantage to the Continent as elsewhere—as it's not in the power of the Board of at Boston to Supply me, I must intreat an immediate Supply by some means or other, otherwise the business must totally Stop.—I'm under the necessity of asking an immediate answer to this from the Honble. Committee that I may know how to Conduct myself in the Business of engaging Carpenters & other matters.—I have the honor to be [&c.]

P.S. Should be glad that the
Navy Board at Boston were
impowered to Settle my Acct^s. both for the
Marine & Commercial Committee if it
shall be agreeable.—