Norwich March 23d 1776
Hond Sir
As soon as I arrived Home from Lebanon this Day I Recd a Letter from Mr James Tilly in which he lnformes that we have Waited so long that all the Hemp in the Jerseys is now bought up neither is there any Hemp Yarns, nor Cordage to be had in N York and that there is no other way left now to Procure it but to Buy Mr Melbone's Yarns and that what they and Mr Tilly's fall short might be made up in Flax ー am sorry we had not Known this before the Committee left Lebanon. If your Honor should think best to Employ Mr Tilly to Do his best Endeavours as soon as Possible to furnish us with Cordage it will in my Opinion be the best step that Can be taken for a few Days more may Carry us beyond any Market for Flax ー whe have no Reason to think Cols Dyer & Williams will Obtain any on their Journey. 2
Mr Moses Cleaveland is with me for a Recommendation to your Honor for a Lieuts Place in the Galley which I think he may Do well in as he is a
Good Soldier and a Lieutenant on Bord a Vessell is Principally Concerned with the Marines I am sir with Esteen & Duty [&c.]
Benj Huntington 3
1. Gunther Collection, ChHS.
2. Dyer and ,vmiams were on their way to the Continental Congress to request an advance of fifty thousand pounds to Connecticut, Ford, ed., JCC, IV, 272.
3. Secretary of the Connecticut Council of Safety.
