Sir

I receiv'd yours of the 11th Instant, and can assure you that there is no sort of Shot to be had in this State, as they Sent to Boston and could get but a bare Sufficiency for the New Ships ー have Order'd the Hamden out to gain Intelligence ー the Columbus is now a Graving ー the new Ships and Alfred are ready, all but Men, which we must have three hundred at least for them ー and one hundred for the Columbus, before we are able to Engage Ships of equal Force ー and it will be with difficulty the Officers can be got willing to go out, without being full Mann'd and I see but little Encouragement of getting them Mann'd in this State.

If you will use your Influence that we may get some Men out of the Army soon, as we wait for nothing else, it will be of great Service. ー I have been down here ten days in Order to Enlist Men out of the Forces here, and have not been able to get more than about One hundred and twenty ー nor don't see any possibility of getting many more. ー Mr [Nathaniel] Shaw [Jr.] will be able to give you any further Information as to the Circumstances of the here ー and when the present appearance alters, shall acquaint you. ー I am with great Regard Sir [&c.]

pr Mr Shaw ー at Lebanonー