Gentlemen

Agreeable to your application in your letter of the 21^st of February last,¹ we enclose A Warrant on the Loan office of the State of New Jersey for Eleven thousand Dollars to enable you to pay M^r. Taylor for the shot he furnished for the use of the Navy. We shall now answer the queries you presented for our consideration in that Letter.—

first. We have already ordered the Paymaster² to remove his Office to Baltimore when your Board removes to that place

2^d. We would by all means have the Commissarys Store at Bordenton immediately broke up. Congress has resolved that no Rations or Subsistance Money shall be allowed to any officers but such as are in Actual Service—inclosed is the Resolve dated the 20 March last.³

3^rd We would have you examine the Accounts of your clerk and Treasurer yourselves, and appoint or nominate a New One just as you please.

4^th The Agents at Baltimore⁴ will be notified that they are responsible to your Board for the settlement for their Accounts. 

As the New Signals for the Navy have been sent to the Navy Board of the Eastern Department and have been given to several Commanders we think it would be improper to alter them at this time, however as it may be necessary hereafter to change the Signals, we would be glad if you would compose at sett.— 

The want of officers at present makes it impracticable to hold a Court Martial for the trial of the officers who commanded onboard the Continental Vessels that were destroyed in the Delaware.⁵ Congress having ordered us to revise the Rules and Regulations of the Navy, we would be obliged to you to propose any alterations or amendments which you may think necessary to be adopted.⁶ 

We acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 12^th. of March and are pleased to hear that you had lodged the Stores in places of greater safety. We are glad to inform you that the Virginia frigate has got to sea.* M^r Read the Paymaster having represented that the duties of his office did not require his constant attendance he had our permission to transact some business for the Board of war. Congress has not appointed him to any new office—you will please to write to him and advise him to return to his Office if he hath not already returned. You have enclosed an Account of Maxwell & Loyals which we refer to you for examination.⁷ we suppose you will require them to exhibit the particulars of the Charges in the said Accounts with the vouchers we have marked the drafts paid by this Committee since our removal from Philadelphia, and you have in your Books an Account of what had been paid before. You have also inclosed a Receipt of Lieut: Robert Harris's late of the Ship Reprisal for 150 dollars paid him by the Navy Board at Boston which please to order to his debit in the Paymasters Books. We have your favour of the 25^th. of March and approve of the offer you have made the General of Rice Codfish and oil for the use of the Army.⁹ You will take the Commissarys Receipt for those articles and charge him in your Books. The Board of war have had consideration that part of your letter which relates to Captain Robinson and we suppose will communicate their Sentiments thereon to General Washington who doubtless will take proper measure for his releasement.¹⁰

We are Gentlemen Your hble servants 

*An Account since received that she unfortunately go on a Bank in the night and was next morning taken by the enemy. Captain Nicholson and nine of his Crew who were all that chose to venture in the Barge escaped to shore.—¹¹