[Extract]

I've sent by several Opportunities a List of Men for Officers, I hope to hear by return of Post, of the Appointment, and Explicit Orders for me to appoint the remainder, and the Blank Warrants or Commissions sent down I hope Peter Shores, will be Lieut by all means and also John Roche which I mentioned, who is now on board one of the Continental Schooners a Lieut and what I know and can learn he is very gentell good Man ー

I inclose one of our Newspapers (for your Approbation) by young Dearbourn who I've endeavoured to put into the Business that we might have some Channell of Intelligence besides Tory printers, by that you'll see a few Lines I threw into the paper relative to our Launching the Ship, which are only the Facts, if any bad Grammer you'll Excuse it, my Education was not what they call Liberal.²

We were highly favour'd Sons of Liberty, in building as well as Launching; nothing going Cross  the Expence has been great but that could not be help't, I dont know of one Man of having even his Finger hurt in Launching, we were very regular the whole Yard guarded, to keep people off, strict Silence, orders properly timed, and well Executed, about three Minutes to her Anchor from the time she run, not even touched the Shores Since ー Expect to get her Masts in this Week ー I've just sent [Captain] Partridge to Ipswich for the Canvass; where shall get light [canvas] I know not, I Expect to meet with much difficulty in Compleating our Hands and intirely for want of Orders to ship them, in Season, not a Man can I ship untill the Officers are appointed and Explicit orders to Ship furnish Provisions &c. ー I hear nothing of Guns, have no idea where they are to come from, Swivels, Shot, and such Articles we want ー I think there is some mistake in the Regulations, (no proportion of Prizes to the Lieutenant and Captain Marines) I know not where rum is to be had the price now is only One dollar by the Hogshead, pray let me know if I am appointed the Agent if any one Else should be appointed, I should be glad to be appointed Agent of prizes, if that should be an seperate Department but as I hope you have taken Care to get me appointed Agent for the Navey (or say one of the Lords Commissioners that will be let alone as to Prizes ー If there is an Agent for Prizes seperate from the agent for the Navy, which I supposed I shall and do recommend Mr Joseph Whipple, than whom none can do better. Mr [Josiah] Bartlett may easily say that I've recommended Mr Whipple this is for the Continent ー Mr [Joshua] Wentworth is for the General you know ー I should be very glad to have Liberty of coming to Congress if its only one Week just to desire Independence might be declared and Guns sent on, and few such trifles as these, which are Essential and must be done, and that immediately and after these material matters are done the Continent may act with some propriety for every thing now (in the Eyes of the weak) class [sic clash] with Perogative, the King or the Devil; our Ships would also go to Sea, which would help us much ー

Nothing in the Government way material we are a Building a Battery on the heights of Jerrys point ー I am with Friendship [&c.]

P S John Jackson will be an Excellent hand for Surgeon if one is not Appointed, let him in for it by all means ー