Sir

Yours of Yesterday we received by Mr. Bill, respecting the Carpenters leaving the Yard on Acc't of the excessive high Price of the necessaries of Life, and the lowness of their Wages viz 7/6 per day.

We have no authority by our instructions from the H'ble Congress to raise the Price of Carpenters Wages, yet we may venture (upon the present necessary occa­tion) to permit you to advance their Wages, not to exceed 10/ per day, trusting to your prudence in getting them to Work as much under that as possible, until we shall Write to the H'ble Marine board at Congress upon the subject; when we shall have their answer you shall be made acquainted with their determination.

When you was in Boston, and made application for Money, we informed you, soon as we had Orders for Cash, you shou'd be supplyed, its not yet reached. we are [&c.]