Capt. Thompson

Sir Y^rs. of the 24 I rec^d. with respect to your seamen who entered with Capt. Nicholson it is right the Public should pay their Board, but those who after their waiting have taken their passage with you ought to be considered in a different Light, & as you will have the advantage of their Service, I must think that it lies with you to pay their billeting. as to those who are gone to America without discharging their Expences & without entering on board any of the Continental Vessels, I can only say that as they might have entered onboard some of those Vessels employed by Congress but declined I do not see the Justice of Charging the Congress with their Expences—I will however lay your Letter before the Commissioners, who must jointly determine the affair & in the mean time assure you that it will give me pleasure to render you every Service in my power & that I am &c