Honorable Sir

We are favord with yours of the 27th ulto, respecting the Cordage we were to furnish Mr Stewart [Stephen Steward] for the Gondolas &c on the public account.

We did not enter into any agreement with him to finish it at any particular day; but on his return from Philadelphia, as he coud not get it there, we promised to do our endeavours to compleat it as soon as possible, and which we mean to comply with, so soon as we get rid of the Firgates² Riging, which we think will be finished in a week ー after that, we hope to furnish for the Gondolas nearly as fast as it is wanted, and shall agreeable to Mr Stewarts directions forward it to Annapolis as we make it. We are Honble Sir [&c.]