Dear Sir ー

Your favo'r of the 17th ulto is now before me the Money is come to hand, but had not to[ta]l[e]d it, suppose it right. I've just receiv'd a Letter from Providence by which I find the furnace will not have done till about the first of August for themselves, and then are ready for me and Mr [Thomas] Cushing provided I have it [in] my power to contract for them, which I've desired in several of my former Letters, pray send one Word, whither I may Contract at Providence or not. ー I think it absolutely Necessary to have the Hands shipped, as they are now to be had, and when the Guns come, shall be ready, otherwise shall not get out this Season, if we wait till the Guns arrive, and then have the Men to get, and Provision, this matter is most strangely Neglected, the Ship laying here with every Rope Compleately rove, all finished and Men of all denominations ready to Enter, but cannot; its very unfortunate; a number of Seamen have been waiting for three Months, and now suppose will go to Providence, as they have got the Furnace, they can say who shall have the first Ship to Sea tho' ours might have very well been out on a Cruize by this; which would have been one Month before any on the Continent, ー I think it would be best when the Officers are appointed to have Orders to have Forty or Fifty Seamen & some Marines for Guard ー

I am ready to send the Names. of most of the warrant Officers, but as I should be glad to consult with the Commission Officers, who are the most proper Persons, should think there could be no inconvenience in sending Blank Warrants; the Commissions for the Commission Officers will be some time before shall get them, and then to send up the Names of Warrant Officers & get them filled up; will bring it to ab[ou]t September ー We must have immediately a number of Men and different Officers to take Care of these Men ー Pray always bare in mind the Guns, Powder, Provision & Men. ー

I Observe what you mention about Agent, I have determined to resign my Seat in Congress, and I do hereby resign in Consquence of being appointed Agent, indeed if I was not appointed Agent beleive should not come, our Colony no doubt will send another at your or Brother [Josiah] Bartletts return of you shall think it Necessary, therefore shall thank you to have the matter settled, immediately and bring it with you, as you may very well take a ride down and go back again soon, I've wrote you by all means to bring my Carriage home with you and my Trunk white Hat and Sword blade left in my Chamber. ー

Pray should I be appointed let my Orders or Commissions be Explicit whither I am to transact all Prizes taken by Continental Vessells, and every matter particular ー if another must be sent in my room I suppose the Court will choose one, the next time they meet suppose in August. ー If it will be of any Service and it can be done without the least Trouble, I can leave my Business with somebody for Six Weeks or two Months, and come up, so as to spell you, & then come down with the appointment of Agent, but this only by the by, for if the least risque or Trouble in it, say nothing about it. ー

I hope you'll immediately with Brother Bartlett, get this settled,² and that you'll take my Carriage and things, and come off immediately and you can take care of matters here for me whilst I come up if that matter can be brought about, it will do, for few Weeks, how ever have it settled some how, either to come up for few Weeks, to releive you and then to take my appointment as Agent or point Blank, to resign intirely I have mention'd this to several of our Court already, that should I be appointed agent my Seat in the House would be of Course vacated, I shall in form mention it to the House at their next Meeting. ー

Pray make my best Respects to Mr [John] Hancock and beg him to mention, in the Letter to Mr Cushing or Captain [John] Bradford; Joseph Russell as Vendue Master for the Continental Business, as he well knows him to be [a] very suitable person, my Respects to his Lady likewise if you please. ー

My kind respects to Mr Thos & Isaac Wharton to Madam Wharton, and also to the young Ladies ー Mrs Hannah & Mrs Polly also to my Old Friend Mr [John] Alsop, and ask him why he dont get married, he'll be as old as I am, by and by then no young Quaker will have him, I wish to see you as soon as may be  Your Friend [&c.]

N B ー pray send or bring me the Phamphlet called the fall of British Tyranny a play