Gentlemenー

I have done myself the honour of waiting upon your Honourable House, in order to lay before you the state and condition of the schooner General Putnam, under my command, and finding there can be no Convention by reason that some of the members are absent, and it being uncertain when those gentlemen will return, I, to avoid the expenses which myself and horse are at, think it prudent to return to my house at the King's Bridge, where I shall remain at my own expense until I do receive farther instructions Erom Honourable House.

Gentlemen, I must in the first place acquaint you, that my provisions being expended, having not more on board than will support the company about fifteen days; in the next place, my vessel being very small and low in the water, my largest ordnance being twelve swivel guns, the shrouds very old and not trustworthy, my best bower cable but very poor, the vessel very weak and leaky, which weakness proceeded from her lying on a bar and a heavy surf breaking over her &hen I was run on shore by a man of war, the people much exposed when under sail or even in hard rains, the water pouring into their cabins which prevents them from lying in their beds. Diligent search has been made in order to stop the leaks, but all to no purpose, daily complaints being made by my people in regard to the vessel's condition, and the season of the year advancing towaid cold and stormy weather ー this, gentlemen, is certainly the condition of the vessel. The people almost naked, having no shoes nor stockings, and the most part of them not the second shirt to their backs; no money has bee? advanced to them but from my own private purse; no fresh meat allowed, although I have applied for it; no rum allowed them, which has occasioned much disturbance on board; they have demanded an allowance of a half pint of rum per day, which is allowed the men in the Continental fleet, and insist upon it that the Provincial Congress gives that allowance: A riot was made just before I left the vessel in regard to their allowance of rum, in which affair I was obliged to make use of my authority amongst some of the principal ringleaders, upon which some of them have undertaken to complain of my conduct to your Honours by letters. I never heard that the conduct of a commander was to be taken notice of from a report made by a common boatswain, carpenter, or gunner, &c., men who sacrifice every thing that is dear to them for a single can of grog; men whom I have picked up and put in office on purpose to have the vessel manned, and as the vessel is but very small I was glad to pick up any trash. I am very clear you will not find any of my principal officers' names in .that complaint; they are men of good families and characters, hearty in the cause of liberty; if such men were to complain of my conduct, I confess I ought to stand corrected. Perhaps the names of my chief officers you would be glad to know; my chief lieutenant is Thomas Quig[l]y, David Walker is my second lieutenant, Eliakim Little is the master, and Cornelius French is my mate; and upon the whole, I would recommend it to your Honourable House to give directions to lay the vessel up as unfit for any farther service this season, as I look upon keeping her any longer in commission will only be a great expense without the gleam of any profit or service. As for my part, I am determined not to enjoy a commission unless I can be of service to my country, for I should, on that part of the coast where the vessel is, only be picking the public's pocket, as nothing is to be met with there but frigates, sloops of war, and large tenders, which we are not able to engage. I am determined to serve in the present cause, and will spend my last moments in serving my country, and fix myself at the seat of war, and whenever I am called on will cheerfully join heart and hand with my staunch countrymen. The accounts of the vessel should be settled and the people paid off, which matters I leave to be determined by your Honours, and shall wait your cominand with due respect, and am [&c.]