Dear Sir

I know not what to say to you about the Matter you Mention, to give 18/ per Day will be a Violation of the Law of the State, at Same time I shall be Very Sorry to have a Detaintion on acco't of the Blacksmiths work of the Ship.¹ if it can be done I Shall be Glad to have your old Smith Kept a little while longer, as we shall soon see whether the new regulations will take place. I am willing to leave the whole to your Prudence and Discretion and shall be fully Satisfyed with your Proceedings in the Matter. I am much Disapointed with Respect to the Ship Trumbull, the Navy Board have Invested me with full power to get her out of the River,² and when I Return'd 1 Expected have found the Ship prepaired according to my Directions when I left this place, but I find my Self Superceeded by order of his Excelency the Govenor and Council of Safty, who have appointed Capt'n John Cotton to Execute that Business, and made him Sole Director of the whole Matter. if you will Enquire of any of the Members of the Council of Safty whether the Honob'e Congress has Invested them with any New Powers since the appointment of our Board, and write me as soon as may be you will much oblige me. I have much at hart the geting the Trumbull out of the River, and I am Very Sure I could bring the Ship to Draw a foot less watter then She now does (if what I here is true) the prospect of a tide this night to get the Ship out is very Great, and I Sincerely wish She may Get out Safe if She Drew a foot less watter I should think the Risque Triffling.

I have nothing more to say then the Ship you are building³ must go on at all Events. I am [&c.]