Gentlemen
I have the honour of receiving your favour by Mr Brown [John Browne] Lieut of the Boston Frigate & shall strictly conform to your orders therein contain'd by using every exertion in my power to give the Frigates dispatch, I rejoyce the Hancock is like soon to have her Ordnance on board 2 — I yesterday return'd from Dartmouth wher I purchas'd the finest ship in America, she is only five years old river Built she will stow 640 Hhds Tobacco her first cost to sea was £4850 Sterling she was a prize to the Cabot there were few bidders, she being in the Neighbourhood of Rhode Island 3 she went of[f] at £1230, I shah be oblig'd to buy a Cable & a trifle of small Cordage —
I have at length got possession of the Brig Elizabeth from Marseilles after being kept out near three weeks by the famous Capt Paine whose privateer sent her in, I have sued him for damages for both the fanny & that Brig — and shall strain every nerve to make an example of him that others may be more cautious of medling with Continental property in future, the Amount of the Elizabeth's Cargo is thirty one thousand Livers I shall deliver it into the hands of Messrs Livingston & Turnbull saving the Blankets which I am oblig'd to reserve for the seamen on board the Frigates, an Invoice I shall forward by next post not having time to send it now, I heartly congratulate my Country on the late advantage gain'd by our Great General 4 & hope its a happy earnest of future success, the post just going have not time to add, only that I am with all due Respects — Gentlemen [&c.]
The Honble Robert Morris Esqr
Chairman of the Honble Committee of secresy