Sir

I had the honour in my last to Acquaint you that the Arm'd Schooners Hancock and Franklin had sent in a Brig with Salmon & dry fish, it gives me the highest pleasure its in my power to in close you the Copy of a manifest of the Cargo of a Brig brought in yesterday by the above mentioned Vessells, a most valuable Acquisition, on which I most heartily Congratulate you & my Country. it affords a rich supply of Necessaries to make the Army comfqrtable through their Winter Campaign, a duplicate is forwarded to General Washington; I most earnestly wish our Enemies may continue their supplies of such articles as we cannot easily obtain amongst ourselves, When leisure will permit I shall Esteem it a favour if I may be directed what to do with the Lynch, as she remains in pay doing nothing for the want of Cannon, and was the[y] compleat theirs not the least probability of her ever doing any thing for the honour of the State, here are four fine four pound Cannon in the Brig last taken, but I am realy of opinion was we in possession of a com pleat set of Guns the Capt could not get men to go with him, not through fear of his leading them into danger ² — You may remember Sir I hinted to you sometime since that by desire of the Commissary I kept the Beef taken in the Ship Peggy (about 400 Barrells[)] for the use of the army; I've not yet been call'd on for it. the Capts [John] Skimmer & [Samuel] Tucker who were victualed last cruise with that provission say it is so bad that their people could not eat it, should be glad to have orders what to do with it, it will not do for the army — Capt Skimmer is extremely anxious to get his Commission he never has yet had it. And has Commanded only on a Breviatt obtain'd from General Ward, I hear he runs a risque of being ill treated if he should be taken. I think he is worthy of a Commission & won't dishonour it,³ — In my last I beg'd I might Receive directions how to manage with those passengers who hav[e] no interest to support them, several such I have now daily visiting me for supplys. I am at a loss how to conduct in the affair, hope I shall receive directions from Congress — I have by last post receiv'd directions from a Committee of Congress relative to the Settlement of the public Accots at Certain periods ⁴ it would be a Gratification to me to know on what terms I do this Business and indeed I know not how to Compleat the Accounts till I come to that knowledge I am most Respectfully [&c.]

[P. S.] You will please to Observe that besides the Inclosed Invo there is a parcell Good wch was to be landed at New found land to the Amo. of 2503 . 3 .. 3 3 / 4 the Invo was sent out in another Vessell