Honble Gent.

I wrote you from Philadelphia wherein I inform you of the People's deserting and entring in the Land service there is upwards of Forty that did not return and those who did say their time of Entry is Expir'd which I cannot Contradict not being able to get the time of their entry from Mr [William] Turnbull, 'tho repeatedly, have asked for it, this uncertain Condition Causes a great Perplexity, however from every Circumstance I think it best to Settle with the whole of them and Endeavour to reenter as many as Possible I can, the Frigate has opened a Rendevous, by which means they Got the most of the Seamen in this place,² it would Enable me to get men for the Ship much Sooner If you should approve of our opening a house of that kind likewise.³ I arive here on Saturday and should have wrote you sooner, but thought of waiting on you which I now have declin'd, as I expect to have one side of the Ship out Tomorrow and properly Cleaned this week, — I intend to Engage the Seamen for the Ship during the Warr if Possible, but hope you'l be pleas'd to write me fully the manner you'l have them enter'd, and what Encouragement they may expect as to Prize money, which bears great weight with them, for should it be less than in the Continental service, it will be with dificulty they'l Enlist. I shall use my utmost Endeavour to get the Ship ready as quick as Possible, your letter to me wherein you directed me to Employ an Attony to put in a Claim for the snow George I did not recieve 'till the day I set out for Philedelphia the hurry in Setting of[f] prevented me from Speaking to Mr [Archibald] Buchanan to do it, so that there was no Claim laid -An Appeal to Congress will be easily done by a few lines from you to Mr [Samuel] Chase or who Else you may approve of — I have the Honor to be [&c.]

P: S: I should have inclosed you a list of those deserted at Philedelphia but have not one m[ade] out, but shall send one by the first Opertunity & should be glad to know wether I shall Advertise them or not

G C.