[Extract]

Dear Sir ー Your favour of the 3d Instant is now on the table, I am very much Oblig'd by being so particular, as I've much pleasure in Communicating part of your Letter to my and your friends ー I dont wonder all the attention of Congress, is taken up in such important matters as must be now before them; am very glad [Thomas] Thompson is nominated, for the Command of our Ship; but the Guns, what shall we do for them; my Spirits are little down upon that Head, as I find on going to Providence, that our Ship is the first by at least three Weeks or a Month of any on the Continent, tho' theres are what you may call built, so as to Launch, yet they neither have Rudder, Ports, Channells done, besides many other matters, nor the Masts sorry to say it, Masts only are not half Compleated, our Ship all Painted Carvd, work Compleated, Masts & Yards Compleated all in, and all the standing Rigging over head and Rattles down, all our Boats done, our Sails soon Compleated, except Light Sails, for which must have light Canvas, of which can get none, if the Guns had been on the Spot, and Orders to Enter Men, and Provide Provisions, the 1st day of June the Ship should have been ready to sail in all the Month, but when she'll go now, I pray forward the Guns, and Orders for Hands, and to provide for know not, &c as soon as may be. ー Am Exceeding glad that such ample provisions is making for our defence, by raising such bodies of Men for the different departments, am clearly of Opinion with you, that should we ride out the Storm of this Season, our Ship will go safe to Land (You know our Ship is a good one) and our worse then infernal Enemies be disappointed in their diabolical designs. ー The arrival of Powder, and the French Vessells is good News; in short your kind favo'r is full of favourable and useful Intelligence...

...This moment news that our People have attacked the Ships at Boston, and drove them out of the Harbour twenty Sail, including Transports, push forward my good Friend we have nothing to fear, under the smiles of Providence....

PS Put Brother Whipple in mind of Doctor Jno Jackson for Surgeon of the Ship, inclos'd is List of Officers who I have spoke too for the Ship agreeable to his Letter ー

To The Honble Josiah Bartlett Esqr Member of Congress Philadelphia