Honoured Gentelmen

Upon friday last I lay'd Befor[e] the Honourable House that I was very [anxtious] for to Serve by Sea and for to doo for the good and Well fair of the Cuntray to the Outermost of my pour And that there was at Salem laying above Bevely Being a Good Sound Schooner which Beloning [blurred] if which I have a Commission for which can be very Useful for a pacquet from port to port and also when She is not Employed she can be very Benefichall goin off into the Bay in fishing for the good of the Cuntray And Espesshally for the poor as I did Make mention of a commission there can be nothing done with out and as I said make Application With his Excellency General [Wa]shinton by orders Sent to me by the [Gen to Confirm] was for to make Application unto the Gentelmen of the Congress and my Business would be Answer'd and. immetedly for this three Quarters of the Year I have not gaind any Su bsistance for my familly even with me that I have receive no Subsistance upon account of the Difuculty of the times and as I am not in very truth so able as for to go By land and follow the Army I hope it will please the Honourable Gentelmen of the chance for Grant me A Comission by Sea I for spoke when I could not come to Boston Cape Ann Salem & Bevely or [blurred] for Rendezvouze I have Occation be [blurred] of the Gentlemen of the Congress

Be pleasd for to give me an Answer I am honour'd Gentelmen [&c.] To the Honourable Gentelmen of the Congress at Watertown

The Vessell can carry 8 Swivells Guns But there is no Occation for to run themselves in the Mouths of the Man of War but for to keep a good Look out-

Cambridge March 28th 1776