My Friend ー

Your several favor's of the 2d and 7th Instant are come to hand with the Regulations of Navey &c  I think with you, that the Officers are very low especially the Captn, it will not Uniform him, I've sent a List of the first I tho't of, some time since, I now inclose another, out of which you'll take your Choice, if they are not already appointed, you say you do not like the 1 Lieut (for good reasons) but when I tell you he has been very ready to Acknowledge all mistakes, he's made, and been very ready to give every Assistance well acquainted with the business (having been in the Service as an Officer[)], have no doubt you'll think him [a] proper person ー I've never given him the most distant hint, of sending his Name, am therefore entirely free, as I've mentioned to no Soul except [Thomas] Thompson, of any Names, I've sent  therefore am not Certain, he or they will Accept, but suppose they will, I therefore offer him free from Prejudice at [a] proper Man, I had in my mind the same difficulty ever since he oppos'd the building battery's, think I am clear he's laid all that aside, as he's very staunch, every one knows that the principal Officers, are appointed by Congress, immediately  therefore I dont pretend, to know who will be recommended by you, Captain [Thomas] Simpson has not return'd, but Expected therefore you'll be Judge, whither to recommend him or not  I have not asked Major [James] Hackett but if he's appointed and will go, he's the smartest Man in the Colony  I know not who to mention for Surgeon, we have no one here who would accept, I believe except Little who is a Tory, therefore won't do, I've this moment tho't of John Jackson, who is very cleavour, if it was worth five hundred Stg p[er] year our Brother [Joshua] Brackett would be the best Man in the World. I rejoice with you at the arrival of Powder. News has just arrived from Boston that our privateers have carried a Ship in there, with 75 Tons of Powder, dry Goods small Arms, & many other matters² this I beleive is true, when which I most heartily Congratulate you. what must the infamous Tyrant George think of himself and menions when he sees Heaven against him ー (Parker and Cornwallis,)³ one half their Fleet dispersed, many intirely lost by hard Gales, those 17 Sail you mention I beleive is all thats left of them ー The Army at Hallifax Starving, their Warlike Stores, every Day falling into our Hands, the Continent compleately prepar'd to meet the poor remains of a guilty and disheartned, band of butchers of Mankind, I say will not all this with Ten thousand more of his misdeeds, bare down the Guilty Soul of that Dog in Forehead but in Heart a Deer.

We are now finishing the Ways getting Cables and Anchors on board, shall Launch next Day after tomorrow which will be Wednesday the 22d May, As good a Ship as can be built on the Continent, raised the 1st of March and Launched & Compleatly graved &c the 22d of May following, God send we may meet with good Fortune in Launching, put this in the paper immediately in any manner you think proper ー

Our yard is in the Compleatest order and its a pity could not be improved another Year, as it has cost much Money which will be Lost, otherwise. ー I've mentioned in all my Letters, that I would Resign, my seat in Congress, and take the Agency at present, as I find I must be here, for some time; and can release it, when I see fit, and can recommend one to you, hereafter, if I should incline to go to Phila and resign in his favour. ー

If a Battalion should be Ordered for this part of the Continent, I think Major James Hackett the Compleatest Officer we have to comm'd and James Hill good second if such a thing as that should happen, don't recommend him as Capt of Marines ー I've refer'd Colonel [Josiah] Bartlett to this Letter for any particulars which you'll Communicate. I am without Flattery [&c.]

P S I've desired the Canvas to be forwarded from Providence ー no light Canvas, no Guns of any kind no orders to procure provisions, or to Ship Men, every thing going on at the greatest Expence, for want of having Orders in Season ー I've not yet got another Cargo for France, not being able to procure a Sufficiency of Furrs, potash &c without which cannot make up a Cargo, of sufficient Value worth while running risque of Vessell, the other Cargo turns out not so Valuable, as could have wished if a Ship of Five hundred Tons, could be had, Masts could be the Cargo I therefore shall wait the Orders of the Secret Committee Respecting sending another small Vessell with Masts plank &c  think it not worth while ー