Sir

The Honble the Councill some time since did me the Honour to appoint me one of a Committee for building Armed Vessells, and agreeable to my Directions I have had one of said Vessells compleated more than three weeks ago, which vessell might now have been on a Cruize against our unaturall Enemys, had I been furnished with Cannon & other necessary Implements ー I think 'tis of Importance that no more time should be lost, & if your Honour is of the same oppinion I beg you will assist the Bearer, one of the Lieutenants of the Tiranicide, in procuring Canon for said Vessell. Comodore Manly, last Evening from Boston, informs me, he saw a Considerable number of 6 lb Cannon, with only one Trunnion off, which is of very little Consequence, as this can soon be Repair'd ー

I have ordered the Bearer, & with your leave, he will tarry & see these Gun's put on board a Boat for this Place, where I have the Caryages, Provision &c &c for said Vessell Ready ー six pound shot & 12 Swivell Guns are also wanted & some Pistolls if to be obtained.

The Plan on which these Vessells was ordered to be Constructed is by no means agreable to me, I have made some Little alterations in the one now Compleated, and have taken the Freedom, in the one I am now Building to make many more; such as Increasing the Length six feet, two Inches more Dead Rising & six Inches more Beam, this vessell will be soon Compleat & 'tis time even now to begin to procure materialls for fixing her ー I have Rigging Enough but Duck will be wanted, ー nothing on my part shall be Wanted if can be provided ー Please Excuse my Innacuracys as I have wrote very haistily & believe me to be Sir [&c.]

I have not had an opportunity to see the Committee and hope the alterations I have made without their consent will be over looked as I had [no] other motive in Doing it, but making the Vessell more fit for Publick Service as a Cruiser.
To the Honble Thomas Cushing Esqr
Chairman of the Committee of War
[Endorsed] answered May 15, 1776 by the Committee who Referred him to the Commissary General for the necessary Supplies and wrote to the Com General ordering him to do it