[Extract]

please to Send the dimensions of the Ships immediately, as they will be wanted directly to determine in what manner to hew the Timber,² No Iron to be had here under Eighty pounds P Ton, pray send a Quantity immediately from Baltimore Send also a quantity of Hemp if possible, as I know not how it will be practica:ble to obtain the Riggen in these parts. —

I wrote you the 10th of Novr last that I should be glad to be Informed whether after the frigates which I have built, are Compleatly fixed & gone to Sea, I Shall have any more to do with them when they return into Port,³ in short whether it is expected I should supply them from time to time with Such Provisions and Stores as they may have occasion for or whether they are for this Purpose to apply to Capt Bradford the Agent for Prizes, Will it not be as much as one man Can do to take Care of the prizes that are & may be taken by the Armed Vessells fixed out by order of Gen Washington? As I have had the trouble of building these frigates at this very difficult time, & which the usual Commission wch Congress may Allow will but poorly Compensate, (tho I shall be per£ectly Content with whatever they do Allow) I should think it would be but right that I should be employed to Supply them with the Provisions and stores they may from time to time stand in Need of and also as Agent for the prizes they may take I should be oblidged to you for yr Interest in this Matter, and remain with great Esteem & respect [&c.]

[P.S.] Would not Capt Job Prince make a Suitable [contractor fo]r one of the Ships about to be built, pray Consider of it, he is an Active Man, has a Spirit of Government, an [d of good] Business, his Men would both love and fear him.

Capt Waters & Capt Tucker will hand you this Letter, they had [both been] in the Continental service by Virtue of a Commission from GenJl Washington they Incline to Continue in it, I recommend them to your Notice, the[y] ar[e] at some uncertainty a:bout their orders of whom they Should receive them, Does not this Shew the Necessity of a having a Marine Board Established at Boston consisting of a member or members from each of the New England Governments, vested with certain powers for the well ordering and from time to time Improying the Continental Ships in such Cruises & upon such Voyages as shall m~st promote the Common Cause and most Eflectually Annoy the Enemy and ln order to Engage them to attend the Business closely proper salleries should be affixed for their Service? Should there not be a Magazeene of stores provided for these Ships & a proper yard filled with masts of all Dimensions for their Use. . . .