Sir

I lately wrote Coll Lee requesting him to procure from the Marine Board an Order for 10 or 12 Thousand Dollars for the Use of the Virginia Frigate, as Mr Stuart & myself were out of Cash on that Accot & had a good many Accots to pay off on the Sailing of the Vessel. Coll Lee left my Letter in the hands of Coll Whipple (when he left Philadelpha) to apply for an Order, which has been neglected, altho I have written to both Coll Whipple 8c Mr Hancock on the Subject. — I must therefore Sir take the Liberty of requesting you will be so obliging as to procure for us an Order on the Treasury for at least 12 thousd Dollars Besides the Debts of the Vessel here which exceed that Sum. Captn Nicholson writes me last Week from York River, that I must either send him Money or lodge a Credit for him there. — We have Recd no Money on the Frigates Accot since Octor save 10 thousd Dollars, part of 30 thousd left with us when Congress departed from this; Of which 20 thousd have been applyd in laying in Materials for building two New Frigates; For which purpose, We purchasd Two Cargoes of Mahogany that absorbd a pretty large Sum of it. — By last Advices from Capt Nicholson, he was preparing to run the Frigate up into the Fresh Water in York River, to get her out of the Way of the Worm. But shoud the Enemy withdraw their Vessels from that River, it is probable he will endeavour to get back to this Place to heave down. I am Sir [&c.]