Navy Board Eastern Department
Boston Septr 13th 1777 —
Sir
We are honored with your favour of the 25th august, Inclosing Several Resolves of Congress of the 21st, Immediatly on the Rect we Communicated them to Governor Cook & the Councel of war of the State of Rhoad Island, where we propose to Repair in a few Days for the purposes therin Directed, in the meantime we are taking Every Preparatory Step for Carying the Resolves into Execution, if they Should be thought Practicable when Considered in Conjuntion with Governor Cook & the Councel of war in the State of Rhoad Island, we have accordingly Given Orders to the Commanders of the Continantal Ships at Providence Immediatly to man & Prepair the Ships for the Sea, which we propose to have Executed with all Posable Expedition, we flatter our Selves that the Marine Committee or Congress will furnish us with money, or Orders on the Loan Office, to Enable us to Execute the Several Resolves and Directions we from time to time Receive, & Particularly the Resolves Mentioned above, which Require an Immediate Supply, we find many Difficulties to Struggle with, the Navy in this Department is in a Situation that Requires great Attention, & Opens a Very Extensive field of Business, while we are not able Even to Procure a Clerk, Such is the Extravagance of the times, that all Ideas of Oeconomy Seems to be lost, we have Offered £50 Lawfl Mo more then the Allowance made by Congress, & yet no one will to this time Accept it, we have wrote to the Marine Committee on the Subject of the Ship Boston, & the Situation and Circumstances of her Commander & other Officers, and of the Obstecles, we foresaw from these Circumstances, of Geting that Ship to Sea in Such Season as Congress might Expect, Since which we have Recd Renewd Complaints against Capt McNeil whether he Deserves the Imputations from his Officers, or the Censuer of the Publick here, is not for us to Say, we have Nethir the Power of Displacing, or Suspending, but wewould beg leave to Recomend this matter to the Attention of the Honabl Congress so far at least as that a full Enquiry may be made in to the Conduct of Captn McNeil, and are with the Greatest Respect your [&c.]