[Extract]

You have doubtless seen the acct brought by the Rifleman from London by which it appears that we shall at least have 34000 Comm[issione]rs.

If your Congress have any spirit they will at least build 14 or 15 light Boats capable of carrying a 12 pounder to secure hudsons river which is to be the chief scene of action ー The carpenters employed on the frigates would build 2 or three in a day if they were built in the maner of Batoes which is the true construction ー

21st May 1776 Philadelphia