Honourable Gentlemen

Be pleased to spare me one Quarter cask of powder, to prove four Howitz, and four sets of Organs, which I have prepared for a Vessel, that I do not doubt will be of service to this country.

Be pleased also, to order my Salary paid from the seventeenth of October last, as first Naval Commander in the American service, which station I obtaineg by the consent and Agreement of the Honourable Gentlemen, who were appointed to treat with me. I have recieved only since in the service, four Hundred and twenty Dollars.

The great expence I am runing to for the benefit of my country, is the reason of this Application at present. I am Honourable Gentlemen [&c.]

Philadelphia May 31st 1776