[Extract]

I am under the disagreeable necessity of representing the Base conduct of Capt Daniel Waters in the Armed schooner Lee, who has lost two months meerly from an Obstinate perverse temper, he Arrived here from a Cruise Abot the last of June. I paid the vessell off, the portledge bill Amounted to £ 445. .6. . he was the best Officer'd and mann'd of any vessel in the Service; his first Leiutenant's time being up for wch he had engag'd he left him. his second chose to remain in the Service, and his Abilities are allow'd (even by Waters) to be equal to any man in the like Station in the Service and greatly esteem'd by all the men, yet Waters discharged him from the Service Contrary to my Advice, under the pretext that he refus'd to go under a first who had never been in the Service and a man who is the greatest part of his time lay'd up with the Gout; his people all told him if the 2nd Remain'd they wou'd go, But he has been from that time the first July till about ten days ago no farther from Boston than Squam, its now a week since his 2nd Lieut wch he discharged sent into plimouth a West India man, for he was immediately put in Command of a privateer on his discharge,² Finally when Waters had got mann'd, he wou'd not Consort with the Warren who waited for him tho I endeavour'd to point out the utility of two going together; he told me he shou'd not look on himself under any Obligation to consult with me. he shou'd go where and when he pleas'd, unless Gen Washington Or an Officer of his Appointing shou'd give him orders. then he shou'd hold himself bound. I have Just given you a Scetch of his Conduct Sir as I thought it my indispensable duty to do for I humbly presume if Conduct like his passes with impunity the little Navy will rather be a Clog than a Service to the public. you will see by the papers from time to time that we are Successfull in the privateer way. I wish our little navy was more so, the Hancock and Franklin arrived some time since with all their Sp [alrs defective and we've meet some little detention in getting others but they are now ready and sail today the Lynch & Lee are on a Cruise. poor [William] Burke in the Warren taken by the Liverpool....