I have been desired by Zephaniah Platt, Esqr. to let the Convention know what I think of fitting out the sloop Montgomery on another cruise. I think that she is too small to cruise, as most of the enemy's ships of value will be of too much force for her to take; and as she is obliged to carry al­ most as many officers as a larger sized vessel would, it makes the pay come very high for so small a vessel. But if the Convention thinks of keeping any armed vessels for the State, I could not advise them to sell her, as there is no better vessel of her burthen than she is: if the Convention thinks of fitting out any larger vessel, she could always be commanded by an officer out of the other vessel, and manned; which would make her expenses come much lighter than they do now. As for my own part, I would be very willing to serve the State, if they thought proper to employ me, if I had a vessel that I could go alongside of a ship of 16 or 18 guns; for most of the enemy's ships will be well armed. If the Convention thinks of getting any larger vessel, I would take another short cruise in the sloop, if not, I should not choose to go any more in her.

If the sloop is fitted out again on a cruise, she wants the following stores: 11 barrels pork; 10 barrels beef; 3000 wt. bread; 8 barrels flour; 2 barrels peas; 200 wt. powder; 200 swivel shot; some match stuff; 24 flints for muskets; 15 flints for pistols; 30 wt. buckshot.

Provisions remaining on board: 9 barrels beef; 7 barrels pork; 4 barrels bread; I barrel flour.