[Extract]

. . . We have considered that part of your Excellencys letter of the 25th Inst to Mr Morris that relates to the Seamen in the Two New England Battalions, whose times expire with this Year, and shou'd any of them obstinately persist in being discharged from your Service on New Years day We think it adviseable to prevail on them to come down here & assist in getting the Frigates out, when they come we will make the best bargain we can with them & if nothing else will do, We will engage to send them home in one or two of those Ships — if they come on these terms we think Capt [Thomas] Read & his officers shou'd come with them that we may if possible get away the Washington as well as the Delaware, Congress are very anxious to have these Ships out & will be pleased if this measure is pursu[ed.] . . .