Gentn Publick Bodys shou'd be equaly cautious of taking offence as of giving it, because mischiefs are very apt to arise therefrom & generally before a remedy can be applyed. You have taken amiss the refusal of fourteen ps Canvass wanted for your Colonial Vessels & had information that 2000 ps had been imported in one Vessell here. These are your premises & the Facts are as follow. It was not this Committee that refused you the Canvass for we had agreable to orders of Congress delivered the wfiole to the Marine Committee & that whole consisted of about 600 ps instead of 2000, but it was not possible the Marine Committee cou'd spare you a single Bolt, because the Congress had but a day or two before your application ordered all the light Duck & other stuff, then in the Publick Stores or that coud be bought in the City to be made up into Tents and sent immediately to Genl Washington, the Marine Committee remonstrated against this measure al- ledging that none of the Continental Vessels cou'd be sent out if this Canvass was taken from them, No Matter they were told the Soldiers should have Tents if they stripped the Yards of those Continental Frigates & Cruizers that had sails made up, & in Consequence of this measure which nothing but the extream necessity of our Army coud justify, We have now a parcell of five Vessells lying here useless at a time they might have been most advantageously employed. Therefore Judge you, whether that Committee or the Congress itself cou'd have justifyed sparing you the Canvass you wanted. You may depend Gentn that no just grounds are ever meant to be given by Congress or any of its Committees for Complaints like yours. We are all embarked in a Cause that requires our utmost united exertions to carry us through, and be assured that you can always Command our utmost Aid and assistance, when it can possibly be extended, consistent with the general Welfare. For & on behalf of the Secret Committee. I have the honor to be Gentn [&c.]