Capt. [James] Smith, who has been sent up by the New York Congress, in lieu of the former Captain who left the sloop, arrived here a few days ago, and has made me a report of what alterations will be necessary to put her into a proper state of defense: But as I have no Carpenters to spare, unless I quit building boats, I have declined it for the present. On which he delivered me a paper, of which the enclosed is a Copy.

If Congress should think is necessary to build Vessels of equal or superior force to those building at St John's, a number of good ship carpenters should be immediately sent up, altho this year they would be of no service, but that of transporting troops even if we had them here on account of the want of powderー