[Extract]

Gentlemen

We duly received your favor of the 26 Ulto As the Schooner Resolution is now ready and has 20 Men Shipt Capt Nicolson thinks it expedient to carry her down with him-as far as Annapolis as he will then be able to Judge of her Sailing, and will inform you and you can then d~termine whether to continue her, or order her back. We have stopt all further Ex-pence on her, until your further determination. The Schooner Ninety two was stopt in consequence of l\1r Carrolls' order to Capt Nicolson to sink such Vessells as was necessary to obstruct the Passage to Balta Town, every Vessell in the Harbor was taken and so many sunk as nearly to Compleat it, there now only wants 3 to finish it, of which this Schooner is allotted to be one because the Water being 26 feet deep it requires large Vessells, and if she is taken away all that is yet done will be of no avail in case of an Attack, We therefore leave it to you to determine; And your Orders shall be instantly obeyed. The Boom is beginning to be fixt, and we . expect in 8 days may be compleated, when she may be discharged. As to the Schooner Peggy this Committee were not informd of any Order from you to load her, neither did they ever employ her or know of her going for Plank, and consequently discl~im the Transaction altogether. We never did presume to Counteract any order of yours, and hope the above will Satisfy you that we have acted right