[Extract]

... The draft ² goes this day with the money to the Camp at Cambridge.

As to your being further impowered, I have took the opinion of many of the Committee separately (for there has been no meeting since I rec'd yours) and they are all of opinion that you are already authorised to build, rig, equip and fit for sea the ship to be built in our Colony and that you will do it according to your discretion, except where you have particular orders: what orders are sent to you are the same that are sent to the other builders and where any thing cannot be supplied in the Colony they will inform the Committee by a letter to the Chairman. Hemp and cordage you say are high; as to that I would inform you that Mr. [Francis] Lewis has procured a considerable quantity: Russia hemp at 65s and this country do from 56s to 58s per hundred York money so you will see whether it is best to buy with you or send to New York

I expect the Committee will meet tomorrow evening; when they meet I will try to procure an order for more money to be sent you and hope to send it off this week and will enquire concerning the length of cable and weight of anchors ー as for cannon I believe a Committee of Congress have contracted for them. ー