[Extract]

Sir  I had the Honor of writing to you the 30th. Ulto. inclosing an Inventory of the Military Stores taken on board the Brigantine Nancy by Capt. Manly of the Armed Schooner Lee. ー I have now to inform you that he has since sent into Beverly a Ship named the Concord, James Lowrie Master from Greenock in Scotland bound to Boston  she has on board Dry Goods and Coals to the value of £3606,,9,,7, shiped by Crawford Anderson & Co. and consigned to James Anderson Merchant in Boston. ー it is mentioned in the Letters found on Board, that this Cargo was for the use of the Army, but on a Strict examination I find it is the Property of the Shipper's and the Person to whom consigned. Pray what is to be done with this Ship and Cargoe? and what with the Brigantine that brought the Military Stores? It war agreed in the conference last October, that all Vessels employed merely as transports and unarmed with their crews be set at Liberty, upon giving security to return to Europe, but that this Indulgence be not extended longer than 'till the first of April next. In the Shippers Letter they mention ー "You must procure a certificate from the General and Admiral, of the Concords being in the Government Service, such as the Glasgow Packet brought with her, which was of great service, procured a Liberty to Arm her which was refused us, also gave her a prefference for some recruits that went out in her." In another part of this Letter they say, "Captain Lowrie will deliver you the contract for the Coals, we gave it to him as perhaps might be of use as a certificate of his Ship being employed in the Government Service." Every Letter on board breaths nothing but emmity [enmity] to this Country, and a vast number of them there are.

It is some time since I recommended to the Congress, that they would institute a Court for the Trial of Prizes made by the Continental Armed Vessel, which I hope they have ere now taken into their consideration, otherwise I should again take the Liberty of urging it in the most pressing manner. . . .

By the last accounts from the Armed Schooners sent to the River St. Lawrence, I fear we have but little to expect from them, they were falling short of Provision and mention that they would be obliged to return, which at this Time is particularly unfortunate; as if they chose a proper station, all the Vessells coming down that River must fall into their hands. The plague, trouble and vexation I have had with the Crews of all the armed Vessels is inexpressible; I do believe there is not on Earth a more disorderly set; every time they come into Port, we hear of nothing but mutinous Complaints  Manley's success has lately and but lately quitted his People  the Crews of the Washington and Harrison have Actually deserted them, so that I have been under the necessity of ordering the Agent to lay the latter up and get hands for the other on the best Terms he could.

The House of Representative and the Honr. Board have sent me a vote of theirs relative to the Harbour of Cape Cod, copy of which you have herewith, I shall send an Officer thither to examine what can be done for its defence, tho' I do not think I shall be able to give them such Assistance as may be requisite, for I have at present neither Men Powder or Cannon to spare.

The great want of Powder is what the attention of Congress should be particularly applied to. I dare not attempt any thing offensive, let the temptation or advantage be ever so great, as I have not more of that most essential Article that will be absolutely necessary to defend our Lines, should the Enemy attempt to Attack them. . . .

They are Arming one of the Transports in Boston with which they mean to decoy some of our Vessels, as we are apprized of their design, I hope they will be disappointed.