Ship Montgomery, May 11, 1776
Gentlemen:
I should be extremely glad that you would furnish us with the stores you have Indent of, as we can do nothing without, the Carpenter has no kind of Plank on Board. Mr. [John] Nixon has a Memorandum of Several things that he is convinced we greatly want, the Chains and Anchors for Mooring, as I am sure our Bowers will not hold us athwart the tide when the wind blows up or down; the powder sent down comes in such a manner that a number of the Cartridges broke in such a condition that it will scarce bare touching without falling to pieces and the waste considerable, we have Room for no more; the paper that the Cartridges are made of is too thin, they should double it, and that some method should be taken to get us Man'd, you may depend on it we can make no defence in the situation we are in. As for Volunteer, I will not be in the Ship with them, they know nothing, and will do nothing they are ordered, which several of the Gentlemen has been witness of. I have dispatch'd the Boat with Beer and a quantity of wads, which, with those on the way I think they will have a prety good Stock. I have wrote to Capt Dougharty [Henry Dougherty] to send a Return of the Ammunition the Boats have now on Board; the quantity we have on Board, inclosed you have an account of what Remains From Your [&c.]
Thos. Read.
Directed. To the Gentlemen of the Committee of Safety, Philadelphia
1. Hazard, et al., eds., Pennsylvania Archives, 1st series, IV, 753.