Sir

Yours of Yesterday I have just recd and I shall take it for granted, that you will take every Legal method to forward the manning of the Ships, and as to what you refer with respect to the Wages and Prize money I must now let you know, that as I am not Agent or Pay Master that I have nothing to do in that matter, further than to use my Influence that Right be done to every Man in the Navy; I have no knowledge of any Fraud in any Officer under my Command and I believe there is none I shall caution the Officer to take care to keep the men on Board althoh I believe the greatest part of the desertion was before they ever came on board, and as to what you seem to desire that the Ships shoud go round to Boston, my Orders will not admit of such a Step and if they woud, I can see but little prospect of getting men there, as I am well assured that if one of the Ships there had been manned she woud have Sailed before now — I am Sr yours and the Members of the Assemblys [&c.]

To the Honble Nicholas Cooke Esqr
to be laid before such Members as
he may think fit —