Sir
the public Service requireing a Number of Ships & Vessels, I have to request of you. to Set out as soon as possible for Connecticut, & purchass for account of the United States of America, from twenty to thirty ships, sloops & briggs, of the greatest Length of Keel that you Can get, the Least expensive & Oldest vessels will answer, & we want no more Rigging on them than will be barely necessary to transport them to this place ー as the greatest dispatch is necessary, Let each vessel be sent of[f] as soon as purchasd, & ballasted, with wood (if practicable) & stone ー
Whereas it may happen, that the navigation of the Sound may be Stop'din that Case, you will do well to Stipulate with the Owners, that they shall receive their vessels, all charges theron, to be paid by the publick in short, from your known good Character, & attachment to your Country I doubt not but you will exert your Self in this business, purchasing as cheap as possible, & sending them forward with all possible dispatch, relying there on I remain Sir [&c.]
