[Extract]
Dear Sir:

While I was from Town Mr. Risberg forwarded a letter to you from Mr. James Wharton to which he desired a speedy answer but none has yet come to hand ー they wanted 300 Tonns of Pig Iron for the Frigates & desired to know how soon you could deliver it ー they offer £ 8 p. Tonn, and if you cannot afford it under £ 8.10 ー perhaps they would give it but dont let them know that I mention it ー They also wrote about Shott & I must beg your particular answer inclosed to me either other [sic] or let me know the purport of it.

In consequence of the Engagements on Wednesday & Thursday between our 13 Galleys & the Kings Ships Roebuck & Liverpool the Committee of Safety find they shall want an immediate supply of Shott and I have procured part of them for you agreeable to the inclosed List, provided you can do them without Delay & send them down as fast as a waggon Load is finished.

There are many reasons to induce a belief that a larger force will come against us and it is of the utmost consequence to be fully prepared. Therefore if you cannot make the Shott immediately please to inform me by return of the Express who comes with that [sic this] that may apply elsewhere, but if it is possible I hope you will do them and I will endeavor to get orders for more which I think will be wanted.

A Gentleman in Congress informs me they want a number of Howitzers cast of Iron wch will weigh as high as 12 Cwt. and down and they are informed of the Quality of your metal & would agree with you if you could undertake to cast them ー you will be particular on this head also in your answer.

There seems no prospect of accomodation & I think an Independency will soon take place. Indeed I cannot see how we can avoid it as we must take such steps as will unite the Friends to America & depress our internal Enemies when we have before us the greatest Chance of a vigorous campaign in wch. the whole forces that England could command from within themselves & from foreigners are employed against us.

I must mention to you something of our Engagement below ー The Roebuck of 46 Guns & Liverpool of 28 Guns came up our Bay & River sounding & filling water & it is thought were making themselves acquainted with the Channel for no good purpose ー The Committee ordered down our 13 Galleys who with one Gun each engaged for several hours on Wednesday but at too great a distance to do much damage on either side ー but on Thursday they began the Engagement near Christian Creek which continued very close for 4 hours in which our Captains behaved very well & obliged the ships to retire fighting as far as New Castle & then they made down the River & have passed Reedy Island ー we have certainly done them great damage & received but little on our side ー The first day one man was killed, the second day a few slightly wounded.

Thus we have proved the great utility of Galleys for the defense of Rivers as 13 of them drove two of the finest ships of their rates that the King has & we could have engaged them to greater advantage higher up among the Islands ー the place they were at being wide & entirely open from shelter.

Referring to the list of shot below & waiting your answer ー I am Sir [&c.]

[P.S.] the 12 April it is said they were at short allowance of Provisions in Quebec, but I dont think our chance of taking it before summer arrives is favorable.

List of Shott for Committee of Safety.

Since the foregoing wch. contains the order I received last night the Committee have extended it to 50 Tonns & you will if possible execute it according to the List inclosed for round Shott & the bar Shott as above.