Sir—

M^r. Williams deliv^d. me your favor, inclosing the Letters from L'Orient—the Sails, Cordage &C are spoke for by M^r. Odea, to be made here—M^r. Williams does not appear pleased that the sails shou'd be made at Painbeuf, however M^r. Odea and he it seems will settle that matter—

The Ship's masts are shortned the mainmast twenty inches farther aft, shrouds set up and every matter about them secure—have employed eight french caulkers this day on the main deck—Shall make all dispatch possible Four of the prisoners have entered for the Independence two for our Ship one of which is Bulfinch¹—The dutchman, have delivered to Capt^n. Smith,² and taken his receipt—The frenchmen wou'd not quit their Lighter on any Account, therefore have the two Masters and one Mate as prisoners on board the Ship, M^r. Robertson³ being unwilling to keep them any longer in the Brig—Our people from the prize⁴ have been return’d to the Ship, these two days past except M^r. Green, who tarrys to see her unloaded—Everything is quiet, and good order on board the Ship, which I shall endeavour to keep up—And Am [&c.]

As to Slops there are only 28 Jackets 8 frocks on board not one Shirt—Several of the people have only one shirt, many of them, not a pair of drawers, or breaches—I shou'd suppose that woolen trowsers and Greatcoats will be necessary—there are 6 pairs of shooes on board

250 Stout, Seamen's upper Jackets

250 under Jackets—

300 Shirts or more, as you may think proper—

200 flannel or other Woolen drawers & breeches,

200 pair of Trowsers some woolen, the other strong stuff.

30 doz. mill'd Caps—

40 Great Coats—

150 pair of Shooes—

150 pair of Mill'd Gloves, or Mittens—

Some Cotton hankerchiefs

A parcell of Seamens kinves [knives?].

Some Dutch Caps—

2 doz. Strong Chest locks,

Some Strong Shooes buckles—

20 hammocks are very much wanted—

Beg Leave to refer you to the memorandum of provisions &C Expended and on hand—