[Extract]

The success of your Privateers is incouraging. I lament with you the Languor and Inattention to the Fleet. I wish I could explain to you my Sentiments upon this Subject, but I will not. I am determined you shall come here, and see, and hear, and feel for yourself, and that Major [Joseph] Hawley and Some others shall do the same. I must not write Strictures upon Characters. I set all Mankind a Swearing if I do. I must not point out to you, not even to you, the Causes of the Losses, Disgraces, and Misfortunes, that befall you. I make the Faces of my best Friends a mile long if I do. What then sllall I do? Just what I have long Since determined, go home, and let two or three of you come here and fret yourselves, as long as I have done, untill you shall acknowledge that I had Reason.

There is a Marine Committee, who have the Care of every Thing relating to the Navy. Hopkins and his Captains, Saltonstall, and Whipple, have been summoned here, and here they have lingered and their ships laid idle. I cannot, I will not explain this Business to you; because if I should, it would get into a News Paper, I suppose. You must come and see.

We suffer inexpressibly for Want of Men of Business. ー Men acquainted with War by Sea and Land, Men who have no Pleasure but in Business. You have them, send them along.

Have you got Boston Harbour sufficiently fortified? If not take no Rest until it is done. [William] Howe must have Winter Quarters, somewhere. If he can't obtain them at New York, he must attempt them at the Southward or Northward, it will he your Fault, if you are not prepared for him in the North....