Dear Sir

I received yours of the 13^th Instant,¹ I hope the money sent came to hand in Season to prevent any great disadvantage.² The pigg Iron from Providence is daily coming in but under a Circumstance that Strikes me disagreeably. I find the Neat Weight is mentioned instead of Gross, which seems Calculated to Answer the purposes of Extortion, and to have Consequences that Extend into futurity. what the Computations or Customs are I know not, but I think it would be best for the public to make no Estimates but by Gross Weight, if it even Cost a little more at present. I hope Cap^t. Whipple³ will Succeed in getting his Ship out both for his own reputation and the good of the public. I have made large purchases here. so has Cap^t Deshon⁴ at N London. I have purchased Thirty two Shot, some duck, a Cable and many other things. Where the money is to come from to pay for them we all know, but when and how we are to Comply with the Contracts remain Uncertain. An Express to Congress for money might be Effectual, but it is a Measure for several reasons I would avoid if possible. I wish to have your Sentiments on the Matter. Our Business is now Extensive and grows very fast upon us, and our Treasury is very low. I must go home⁵ next week, or have no Gardens and no Farm this Year. What am I then to live on, the Extortion of the Country and Town takes all I get here to maintain me in the Simplest manner without any Connection with a family. my Letter to Cap^t Deshon which went by Cap^t Hopkins⁶ and now inclosed to you, give my opinion of the Columbus's⁷ Stores and Several other Matters. I hope you have wrote to Cap^t Deshon and shall be obliged to you for it. M^r Blodget⁸ has been with me repeatedly about the Pursers birth in the Warren and Claims our promise. Cap^t Hopkins has another in that place, and I understand by him Capt Deshon agreed to or made his appointment. Conceiving it improper that one of us should Countermand the doings of another, I have given him no Encouragement till I see Cap^t Deshon. you will speak to Cap^t Hopkins on this Subject. I am sorry the Enemy have got one of the Warrens prizes and glad that another has arrived Safe.⁹ I am Your Friend and Serv^t 

P.S. Do Expedite your Contract for the Cannon as much as possible. have them cast and sent forward on the Ship. will certainly wait for them. if you write to the Navy Board at Bo[r]dentown wont it be well to desire them to forward to us the Resolutions of Congress relating to the Navy Board as ordered by the Marine Committee.¹⁰