Gentlemen — 

My last of the 29th December, informed you of former proceedings & this will serve to inform you of my proceedings to this day, In my last I mentioned being Employed in getting provisions on board ready to proceed on a Cruize, just as I had got ready for Sea, was Blocked up by the Ice and while detained by that, recd. a Letter from the Honorable Commissioners at Parris, desireing me to go to L'Oriont, and there View and inspect a 60 Gun Ship and two Frigates that was laying there, which was offered them on very easy Terms, if they suited their purposes, I set out imeadiately to perform this bussiness, but on examining the 60 Gun Ship found her rather old and tender a Very slow Sailor & of so great draft of Water, that few of the American ports would have water enough for her to enter in At, One of the frigates I found new and well put together, tho Something rougher than those built at Philada The other Frigate & 50 Gun Ship, both old and wanting great repair, the New Frigate Called the Count of Maurepas is a Very fine Ship, will be mounted with 26 twelve pounders on her Gun Deck & 10 Six pounders on her Quarter Deck and Fore Castle, her Masts, Yards, Rigging Sails and Stores, are all new & of the first quality her Guns have been used, but appear very good, the price is £ 17,000 Sterg After performing this bussiness I made my report accordingly to your Honourable Commissioners at Parris, who have since wrote me, that they had not yet made the purchase, but expected to do it Soon.

The river is now Clear of Ice, and I have got down to St Auzear, where I am waiting a Wind to go to Sea ー Doctor Franklin informs me that us, and our prizes will be kindly received, protected and Supplied in all French and Spanish ports. This is good news, which I have waited with impatience to hear, and am very glad to have it in my power to give so good an Author for it. I Cannot hear of any more Troops raising for the American Service as yet, It had been reported that the russians has offered 40 thousand Men for that Service, but this is not thought true, as France is determined to Stop them if Possible, they have a large Fleet now in England in Commission, which I believe they will find very difficult to Man, there never was so hot a press in England before, and fewer Men got The French say they are in the Situation they was last warr having a number of Ships and no Men, to Man them. I shall take particular Care to keep you informed of my future proceedings by every opportunity that May offer, from Gentlemen [&c.]

P.S. the Count of Maurepas is 114 feet Keel, 36 feet Beam 13 feet Hold & 6 feet between Decks —