Permit me Gentlemen, once more to trouble you since you have thoughts of encourageing my plan by Premiums, or by giving a bounty upon every ship which I should distroy in any of our Harbours, either by sinking or burning, &c. Which bounty is to be twenty pounds upon every gun, which said Ship or Ships doth carry. And likewise, a further encouragement perhaps you will be willing to sertify (i.e.) If any Ship, or Ships, so sunk, should by any succeeding plan be rais'd & maid fit for service, you will become obligated to give a generous price for the same, or any part thereof which might be serviceable to the Country, all which and in what particular manner you will become obligated to encourage me; please to certify at large; and when communicated, will be acknowledged as a favour by

Your Humble Servant,

P.S; As you have a number of armed boats to give in charge to such men, as has commanded by sea, I would readily engage in one of those in the defence of our Country, in which (I think) I could make several experiments that might be of infinite service, provided (I saw) I could imbrace this engagement without depriveing myself of the liberty of prosecuting my preconcepted plan. And as I am a Stranger to you Gentlemen, my Character (as well as that of my family) may be well known from Govemour [Samuel] Ward, one of the Gentlemen Diligates from the province of Rhode Island.

Yours to serve,

J. Belton.