[Extract]
Our Naval Affairs have had a sad reverse, instead of the Triumph of A man of war Prize, we have lost the Hancock A fine frigate.
The Commissions of the Navy Board or rather the Instructions of the Marine Board Arrived about A week ago. by them it Appears we should be all three present in order to Transact Business. Mr Deshon (tho' we have Expected him 10 days) is not yet Arrived. I see the Business is very large and Extensive, must Engross our whole time, & we are Allowed but one Clerk, which I think quite insufficient. while I remain at this Board I shall do every thing I can to Answer the design of our Appointment, & the Expectation of my Friends, but with you I sigh for private Life and domestic Felicity, & Incline to resign. I only delay it from Respect to your Sollicitations. Tomson, Hinman, & Jones are at Portsmouth have not Yet been to Sea, McNeil at Casco Bay, A Number of Cruisers on our Coast, who have taken & destroyed many Vessels, and among them several Privateers. had we the Ships now shut up in Providence2 with those mentioned Above, I think we should soon have A Clear Coast. . . .
[P.S.] . . . I have several Letters from Mr [Samuel] Adams & [Elbridge] Gerry lately not A word about this Navy Board: do unravel that Mystery — dont they like the thing or the Men —
