[Shipyard, Maryland]
Gentel Men
the Barrer Capt Ewing has a ship to Dispose of She is a Nue vesell and as well Built one as Ever I Se She is Raley a Complet Pice of Work, and Stout Enuf to Carey 8 or 10 Six Pounder With 50 Men She Draws Less Water then any vesell of hir Size ー She is Nue ankers Cabels and Rigen hir Main Sal[s] nue but not Large Enuf for the Provence Service I would agred With him for hir but am In Sum Doubts at hir Sailing fast by the Wind thare is no Doubt of hir Sailing Exseding fast from the wind Capt Ewing has agred to Carey hir to anaplois to you I have tould him you Would Git Gilbert Midelton try how She Sails by the Wind Gil midelton Will Make Proper alowance for hir being badly saild If She will answ[e]r the End of Sailing by the Wind She maybe maid so able that Nothing but Men a war Can hurt hir and then She Run In to such Shale water fromthat they Culd not git at hir I think When She has 50 Men With water and Provetion and 10 Six Pounder She will not Draw More then 6½ feet water If Mr Midelton finds She will ansure the End of Sailing by the Wind She May be Bougt from Capt Ewing for 450£ or 475£ and he must find you a Nue Mast Boom and all other Spars for thay are all two Short I am [&c.]
Stephen Steward
July the 17 1776
I have had a goodell of Business with Capt Ewing and have all Ways found him verey Puntuel S.S.
1. Red Book, XV, Md. Arch.
