Gentn/

Being inform'd by Congress that the Honbl the Council & Assembly for the State of New Hampshire had made a tender of their Services to give every assistance in their Power toward Maning and equiping the Raleigh whenever she should be ordered to Sea; in consequence of which I beg leave to acquaint you that half of the Guns are now on board & the re­ mainder will Come to hand in a few Days — chief of the Stores & provisions are on board But what is most wanted at present is Men — I therefore in the Name of the United States of America beg your Assistance — what I have chiefly in view is to beg permission of your Honours to Inlist Men from the Different Companys now in the Service & pay of this State amongst which there are a number of Seamen, some of which have at different Times made Application to Enter on board & have been refus'd: If we could for the future be indulged with the Liberty of taking such Men as may Offer from those Companies, it would be a very great help towards compleating our Compliment (particularly from the Forts where there are many Seamen) and Seamen employ'd at Sea must be most Serviceable — had we been lucky enough to have procured the Guns during the Embargo we should have Man'd the Ship with less difficulty than now, when Trade & intercourse is free — but what most engages Seamen's attention is Privateers, not seeing the Wages & other Encouragement given by the Continent far exceeds any other Service whatever; If your Honours can assist me in any way to procure Men, I think it will be the only trouble I shall have occasion to give you — I should have waited on you myself had not my Duty required me on board — I am with great Respect, Gentn [&c.]

P. S. The Bearrer Capt [George Jerry] Osborne will wait your Answer­ — To the Honble The Council & Assembly for the State of New Hampshire²