May it Plese your Excellency:

On my arrival heare, I found A Capt Bell Sent by the Board of War for the Marmaids Stores &c. Inclosed you have a Coppy of his Orders¹ & our Answer, we have asur’d him that as fair as we Can, we will Safe keep, all the Stores &c. till we have orders from our Executive Body; or the Court of Admerelty; of this State; to whome we hold our Selves aCountable. we Shall be extremely Oblidge to you for your Advice & Direction, on this Occation, As we Luck upon it a very Extrodinary Proceding; we are Determind to oppose it till we know your Pleashure,—² The Barer M^r Morris is On his way to Baltimore to Libel the Stores &c. and will be much Oblidge to you for your advice &c I shall take Charge of the Ship as She Lyes to morer with my Commision as Privitare & if it is Nesesary Shall make Use of that in futer—Capt Bell has Returned this morning to Philadelphia: we Expect him Back by this day Week: hope we Shall have your Orders Previous to his Return— I am with Grate Esteem [&c.]