Sir

Yours of 14th Inst. we have receiv'd and have referr'd to your Contract [wilth the Committee of Safety, where we find you are particularly entered as [halving contracted to furnish the Marine department on the Eastern Shore with Provisions at seven pence half penny P Ration and as pay Master to the Seamen and Marines in the same department for which you are also to receive after the rate of £25..ー..ー P Annum P this Contract we consider ourselves as having no Power to alter (untill the Vessels proceed on a cruize) and from time to time shall readily furnish you with such sums of Money as [may] be necessary for carrying it into execution, we have by Major [James] Innis sent you two hundred Pounds which we hope may suffice for the present, and in future when you find it necessary to apply to us for Money, be pleas'd to mention the Sum and the service its for. We have also sent you by the same hands Three hundred pounds which we desire you'll take the first opportunity to lay out to the best advantage in the purchase of Salt for the use of the Navy it being an Article that will probably be procured much cheaper on your Shore than on this. For this trouble we shall think you intitled to some reasonable advance. I am By order of the Board [&c.]

To Mr Thoroughgood Smith
on the Eastern Shore