Hond Sir

It appears to me & others; that there is wanted in this Government some Armd Vessells to ward off the distressing Piraticull blos that without doubt will be struck: by Admll Samll Graves's small Men a war & Tenders; by taking from us our inward bound Provisions; Molasses, & Salt Vessells, &c &c as they have don  Will allmost bring on a famin in our Army, & on the Inhabitence; for this goverment allways was illable to support it selfe; with Provisions, &c &c; and now has in it an armey to feede Which Will soone be felt; and be distressing to the Inhabitence & l fear Will bring on discontent & Murmorings; Which may be attended with bad consequences; to the disadvantige; of our imbarkt in; ever to be commended Common cause; so hope that by your Wise Counsells; you will be inabled to gard against every Evell, that might otherwise befall us; if we ware not under the Gardanship of Providence, & your Wise Counsells.

I here that there is a Ship allmost, or quite ready to Lanch at Danvers; of about three Handred Tuns. that its probable by information, will be a good saler: and other convenyences. by strengthing her with sum hanging Knees, building a round hous, & a top gallant forecastell &C that Would carry upwards of thirty guns; and fight the Major part of her men betwene deck &c; and by inquierys, itt's quite Proballe that there may be found prov'd good saling Vessells now hawld up; that Would in part answer one End for our defence, & to bring Provisions from our Southern Governments for our support; and sum of them might be imply'd in bringing Powder and guns; from sum parts of the Spanish & French Kingdoms; and might smugell sum from other Powers; and Salt Peater, from others; Whare We could not git it aid Powder; and Make it here, Which Would be to our advantige to have it manifactird here, so Wishing for the smyles of Heaven in all youre undertakings, in the defence of our favrlable Libertys &c &c. and Remain. ー [&c.]

[Endorsed] Letter from S L order'd to lie on the Table