[Extract]

...I am glad you intend for Providence and heartily wish you may succeed in getting the guns there, if not, I don't know when you will have them but fear it will be a long time, for though two furnaces in this Province are employed making guns for the ships there are no more than two 12 pounders yet brought to town and but very few of the other sizes and if they were here, I think there will be great difficulty in getting them to you.² I sometime ago mentioned to the Chairman of the Secret Committee, what you propose respecting powder and am in no doubt, but you'll be supplied in season with that article; in short I am not concerned about any thing but guns and men; the Committee decline giving orders for shipping men, while the prospect of getting guns is at such a distance. I find there is no possibility of getting you appointed Agent while you have a seat in Congress and if you are not appointed I am apprehensive the present Acting Agent will be confirmed.³ I have already told many of the members that you intend to resign your seat here...if you determine to resign shall have you appointed as soon as I know of your resignation... you mention in some of your letters the appointment of two Agents; that I think would be unnecessary and improper, as one man could certainly do all the business...

I wrote some time ago that blank warrants would be sent to you, but it seems the Committee have changed their minds and now say the names must be sent here.⁴