The Hon^ble. Arthur Lee Esq^r.
Dear Sir—

I Received both your esteemed favours of 17 and 24^th. Same being now before me, do note the contents—Permit me to thank you for the early information: you have been so obliging to honour me within the first. am in hopes to be in Readiness in proper time, but from a letter of mine, lately to the Commissioner's. You woud see thereby, a necessity of adopting Secressie in Your measures.¹—It gives me pleasure the bussiness of the Cutters comes under your consideration, and that am to expect your Answer on that Subject soon.—I want nothing in the line of my Purchases, but what will bear the Strictest Scrutiny, & the particulare approbation of the Hon^ble. Commissioners in this of M^r: Hodges & mine.—

This will be handed to you by Captain Jones of the Ranger, a Gentleman of Abilitys & knowledge in his profession, capable of giveingyou avery Satisfactory account in such matters as have come under his notice, & in his department.—You will I know be pleased in his conversation, haveing nothing assuming in his deportment.—From the Instructions he is possessed of, he seems to have some dependance on geting a Vessel of some considerable force in Europe, to be provided for him by the Commissioners.—in the Service of the United States.—If any thing of this kind are concluded on, & to be Accomplished with expedition, Probably the present favourable disposition of the French Court, might lead them to make sale to the Commissioners privately, of one of those New constructed large Ships, intended to carry heavy mettal on the plan of Frigates²—Coud any such scheme be brought about, am not underapprehension, but Jones, (an interprizeing officer, disposed to Signalize himself in the Service of his Country) woud give total Satisfaction which might be expected from such confidence and Mark of Favour.—Secressie in Such plan merit every attention, therefore would Recommend a vessel purchased in this way, out of the Kings Yards, to be compleated for Sea, and contracted for to be delivered at a certain distance at Sea with a certain Complement of Men, & liberty granted to Captain Jones to transfer his own Officers & Men from the Ranger to this New Vessel

The Commissioners Securing such Vessel, woud have no occasion to make themselves Acquainted with her destination neither assume any direction—Captain Jones being already possessed of the full confidence of the American Navy Board, and at Liberty to Act & Cruize as he may see fit.—Ambition will lead a man of Spirit to do honour to his Country; distinguished in this manner, and I realy conceive it practicable for the Commissioners, upon proper application, to Succeed in what might enable him to render essential Services with Reputation in a line different from money objects.—it is rather intrudeing on your patience to enlarge so much on this subject. Nevertheless, from my knowledge of your accustomed attention of promoting what tends usefull in public Services, I doubt not youl forgive my freedom—I have the honour to be [&c.]

N:B. Whether or not a scheme take for Captain in the line mentioned.—It will be exceedingly Prudent to dispatch his business at Paris Soon, and Permit him to Proceed on a Cruize, that his time may not be lost during his Stay on this Side the Atlantic—& by directions from the Comm^rs. when Ready for Sea, will join & proceed off the Coast, as part of the Convoy intended.—³