Gentlemen

Your Favour of yesterday was duly received: the 260 Dollars Mr Moylan will keep till he returns & then pay it to the Commissary General ー I sent for Colo [William] Burbeck who makes some excuse that he could not get the Order ready, but promises it shall be this day Completed ー

I also sent for Dr Spofford who agrees to go if his Colonel does not object to it. He is now gone to consult him & if he determines to go I shall dispatch him immediately ー

You will remember Gentlemen that the Vessels will want a part of this Flour. You will therefore be pleased to retain as much as will be necessary for this Purpose. P.M. 6 oClock  After pursuing Dr Spofford all Day to get his decisive Answer I have at last got it, that he will go, & is preparing, so that I hope he will be with you some time tomorrow ー

We have Accounts that the small Squadron which sailed sometime ago is bombarding Falmouth & Portsmouth ー Our Vessels must be careful how they fall in with them ー Please to fix upon some particular Colour for a Flag ー & a Signal, by which our Vessels may know one another ー What do you think of a Flag with a White Ground, a Tree in the Middle ー the Motto (Appeal to Heaven) ー This is the Flag of our floating Batteries ー We are fitting out two Vessels at Plymouth & when I next hear from you on this Subject I will let them know the Flag & the Signal, that we may distinguish our Friends from our Foes. You will hasten the Equipment of the other two Vessels as fast as possible ー

Be pleased to purchase ½ Doz Reams of the best Writing Paper to be had at Salem or Marblehead, & send it down here P first Oppy ー

If you think any Good Purpose would be answered by it, you can send out Colonel Glover's Schooner 'till the Substitute is got ready ー I am Gent [&c.]

Colo Glover does not Notice the Receipt of Capt [John] Langdon's present to the Officers who retook his ship ー Don't let it be forgot in your next ー