Williamsburg [Va.] 19h June 1778—
Sir,
Captn Samuel Healy1 was with me Yesterday, and the account he gave me of the situation of the Boat building under Westwood's direction was actually astonishing—How such a concatenation of unfortunate Circumstances should rise in Judgment against me is amazing.—Surely there is a failure in some person;—and when the Interest of the Public is concerned (which is ultimately the case in the present instance)—it becomes my immediate duty to enquire into the cause which produces the disagreeable effects—I have good reason to suppose you & Westwood misunderstood each other in some respect, and that inattention in a measure on your part, has kept the matter back so long—I wish to be mistaken, but Sir, circumstances plead a justification of the assertion; and if your other engagements are such as diverts your attention from the Public's claim, I would be glad to know it. I am [&c.]
Thomas Smith A.S2
LB, Vi, Thomas Smith Letterbook, vol. 3: 72. Addressed at top: "Captn Paul Loyall,/Portsmouth.” Loyall oversaw Virginia's shipyard at Portsmouth.
1. Capt. Samuel Healey was to command a vessel being built at that shipyard.
2. An abbreviation for Agent of the State. Smith was Virginia State Agent.