[Extract]

My Dear Sir  Your favor of the 27th May came duly to hand; I heartily condole with you the loss of the brave [James] Mugford, however we must submit to the divine will and rest assured that whatever is ordered by Providence is right. I have the pleasure to tell you, that Capt [Thomas] Thompson's appointment is confirmed by Congress; his commission will be sent him very soon; as he is appointed, he may with propriety, join you in conferring with proper persons for Lieutenants and Marine officers, which Ihope you will do and let me know who will accept those commissions. I have sometime ago given you my opinion of those you have mentioned; you may engage the master and other officers when ever you think it necessary; as I have before told you, it is very uncertain when you'll have the guns unless you can get them at Providence. I shall send you the blank Warrants so soon as I can get them but I imagine the old forms will undergo a revisal. Congress never were so much engaged as at this time; business presses on them exceedingly. We do not rise some times till 6 or 7 o'clock ー there is so many irons in the fire I fear some of them will burn I congratulate you on the success you have had in building and launching the Rawleigh ー I proposed her being called the New Hampshire, but could not obtain my wish; however I think this name will do very well. The name of every martyr to liberty ought to be perpetuated and then this name is in some measure a compliment to Virginia who you know is entitled to compliments from New England. I have done every thing in my power to forward the business of this ship, but I need not tell you how heavily business goes on here.

The matter of Agency, I have not had an opportunity to urge with a prospect of success; it therefore remains as it did, but hope it won't be long before there will be a fair opportunity; I shall still persist in my first proposal.² The uncertainty of guns is the only reason we have not orders to ship men but as the Committee meet this evening I will endeavor once more to know their minds on this subject...