Sir,

Yours of 26th and 29th Ultimo we have receiv'd in compliance with your request we send you by Lieut: Arrell the sum you mention being £400 .. ー which we doubt not you will properly apply to the use of the Navy in your department ー We have just receiv'd a letter by Capt Westcott from Commodore Boucher informing us of his being in Mobjack Bay with the Liberty Cruiser & the Tobacco Brigg Adventure and have order'd him with the said Cruiser, two of our Gallies and the two Barrons who we have sent to join him to convoy the Brigg clear off the Capes and to return to york Town for our further Orders ー We are surprised to hear that Mr Hunter has made no Provisions for the [use] of the Navy and cou'd not conceive he wou'd doubt of his Authority to mak[e] such Provisions after having contracted and enter'd into Bond for that purpose. We shall write him immediately on the Subject which we presum [e] will prevent all further difficulties in the business.² the size and plan of the Galleys now building are very nearly the same with those you intend to propose to the Assembly and will enable us with some degree of certainty to furnish you with an estimate of their Cost. I am by order of the Naval Board. Your very humble Servant

To Col. Georges Mason Gunston Hall Fairfax County

P.S: We are oblig'd by your observations respecting the future supply of necessaries for the Fleet, and shall consult the Council on the Move you propose, but fear it cannot be adopted without a stretch of power, which they will not venture to risque

Thos Whiting 1st Commr