Navy Board Eastern department Boston May 11th. 1778
Dear Sir
We have just received yours of the 9th. instant,1 having received Several of your favours before that. We have not for want of time Answered for indeed we are Crouded with business. however We have had at heart the Matter of Cannon for the New Ship2 and Considered it for some time past as a Matter of Capital importance not only to the public but to our own Charectors. If the Ship should be detained for want of Cannon after being so long on hand the delay will be the public Censure which you know is very sincere be carried to our account and they are always glad to find some persons and often no matter who to take the blame. the demands of Mr. Brown3 is indeed high but they are less than those of any other person We have yet Applyed to and must be closed with immediately if he will not moderate them. You will please to Consider that it is necessary to have the Guns soon. The powder Shot Small Arms and the Cannon of 6 pounders if any such there be had better be sent here. with regard to the Pigg Iron to be purchased from the Syrene4 Stores if it can be had Cheap say for not exceeding Fifty pounds pr tun (as much Cheaper as possible) We had better purchase it and send it forward to Norwich. the Beef of the Columbus please to send here and that which is damaged and Condemned you will please to dispose of or distribute as your own discretion in considering the Circumstances of them may direct. We wish we could find Employ for the Many Marine Officers walking your streets and others. There are a quanity of hooks and Thimbles and such kind of Iron work that belonged to the Syrene now to be disposed of which we Conceive might answer very well for the Ship at Norwich5 and suppose might be bought Cheap. We wish you would purchase and send them forward and if you can make a Saving by it. Inclosed is Mr Babcocks6 order for the Syrens Anchors. We wish they might be received and sent forward. the present owners are to have them taken up at their Expence &c. You know how much we want the resolves of Congress with regard to the Navy. Commodr. Hopkins7 can Supply us with a Number of them. his son Esek8 who comes down as third Lieut. of the Warren can bring them. When do you think of joining us. it is yet out of our power to make you a further Supply of Cash but we hope that we shall soon be Enabled to do it having Ventured at last to Supply ourselves by a draft on the Marine Comtee
We are Your most humble Servts.
J Warren
Inclosed is a Letter from Mr Babcock to Messrs. Dyer9 and Sands which you will Seal and deliver. We are told Capt Whipple10 left behind him a Cable and Anchor, if so as they are Wanted for the Warren you will please to have them taken up and sent forward as soon as possible. the Warren goes on well and will soon be Manned and gone.
“Papers of William Vernon and the Navy Board,” 242–43. Addressed at foot: “Honble Willm Vernon Esq."
1. Not found.
2. Continental Navy frigate later named Alliance.
3. John Brown of Providence.
4. Pig iron from the wreck of H.M. frigate Syren.
5. Continental Navy frigate later named Confederacy.
6. Adam Babcock. See James Warren to William Vernon, 4 Apr., above.
7. Commo. Esek Hopkins, Continental Navy.
8. Lt. Esek Hopkins, Jr., Continental Navy.
9. Col. Charles Dyer and Lt. Col. Ray Sands, Rhode Island Militia. See NDAR 10: 498.
10. Capt. Abraham Whipple commanding Continental Navy frigate Providence.