Gentlemen —

I receiv'd yours of the 21st Jany the 20th instant and Shall endeavour to follow your Instructions as near as possible — My Last to you was by Captn [Matthew] Parke of the 14th instt with a Copy of my orders to Mr [Ezekiel] Burroughs of the Hamden and Captn [Joseph] Olney of the Cabot  — I have had a request from General [Joseph] Spencer to assist him in an Attack on the Enemy at Rhode Island, and I expect soon to take onboard the Warren and Ship and Sloop Providence Marines from the Army for that Service, as I think it the best use I can put those Vessels to in their present Circumstances — The Columbus has not more than about twenty men, including officers onboard — as to the old Men they have been all paid off, I believe to Satisfaction from the Columbus, Cabot and Sloop Providence, and Captn Jones had the same Orders to pay the Alfreds men off and Orders on Agent Bradford for Money to do it, but I am sorry to say that I have had Several Complaints both from the Officers and Men, that he Refused to pay Some of them without they would first make him their Agent, and Sign Articles to go with him another Year — Inclosed you have a Copy of my Letter to him on that Subject of the 11th instt which I hope has had the desired Effect — the Columbus's people are paid their Prize Money, all except the New Providence affair which is not yet Settled, nor Can't be untill the Agents receive a List of Captn [William] Hallock of the Wasp's Crew, who are Intitled to part of it —

Captn Hinman and the Crew of the Cabot have appointed a Separate Agent and neglects giving in to the Continental Agents a List of his men however I believe that matter could be got over, but Captains Whipple and Saltonstall have Attach'd the Prize Money in all the Agents hands under a pretence of the Agreement I mention'd to you in my last, and I believe Agent Bradford has not yet Received the Money from the Clothing, ² and when he does I make no doubt but he will pay it — if he gets a return of the Men who are Intitled to it — a Copy of my Letter of the 11th instant to him you have Inclosed, also Copy of a Letter from the honble Robert Morris, which I receiv'd this day and likewise my Answer — and on the whole I think it not possible to put the Expedition on foot at present, therefore must beg for your further Instructions in that matter. Captain Jones has displeased the Officers and Men so much in Respect to paying their Wages and Prize Money, that it will be a great deal more difficult to mann Vessels under his Command, than under any other Officer in the Navy that I am acquainted with — and it will not be likely that the Columbus and Sloop Providence can be mann'd here, while the Harbour is block'd up — and when that is got over See no prospect of getting them out while the Enemys Ships keep at the mouth of this river — and as I wrote you in my Last the Alfred was Repairing, and by advice from Captn Hinman She will not be ready in less than Six weeks or two months, I flatter myself that I may Receive your further Orders before the Vessels can be ready — What concerns me most is whether I should Stop the Cabot who met with some damage in a Gale of wind and had not Sail'd yesterday — but think should She be order'd to Stop while the ot her Vessels is ready, would loose most if not all her Hands — and on the whole think it will be best to write Captn Olney to be back to Boston in six weeks. Inclosed you have a Copy of my Letter to Cap Olney for that purpose — I am with great Respect Gentl [&c.]