Sir.

I wrote to M^r Leonard Jarvis¹ last Week advising him with an Act lately pass'd by the general Court, that all Stores or Merchandize belonging to the Public & being at Bedford [in Dartmouth] be forwith remov'd from thence. at the same time desir'd he would send up to this Town, what of the Mary's² Cargo might be landed there, supposing from what you told Me, that the Mary with the greatest part of her Cargo, had got over to the Hiannes³ but I find by M^r Jarvis's Letter it is all landed at Bedford—he writes Me he is refus'd having any Direction in the Matter. I only ask you if you can suppose such Conduct can stand the Test of Examination before the Marine Board at Congress,⁴ it is possible you may have made the marine Laws so much your Study as to be better instruct'd than the honble. navy Board or myself, for we are fully of Opinion that all prizes arm'd or unarm'd on their Arrival must be put into the Continental Agent's Hands, there to remain 'till the marine Court shall determine how the distribution should be made—I beg leave to ask, if you have thought of the Consequence of refusing the Continental Agents Effects belonging to the Public, more especially at so critical a Juncture as the present, when such an Acc^t. as before mentioned has pass'd, my Duty obliges Me, Sir, to direct you immediately on Rec^t. of this to deliver into the Hands of Leonard Jarvis Esq^r. the full half of ev'ry part of the Mary's Cargo, as I am not at liberty to let any thing of that kind remain at Bedford—if the Vessell & Cargo should finally be condemn'd to y^e. Captors no obejection against delivering the whole to them will arise on our part. I have furnish'd M^r Jarvis with a Copy of this Letter. shall be glad to receive your answer as soon as maybe, in the interim am yours &c