Sir

Your favour of 21 Ult. is now before me nothing would give me Greater pleasure than to have it in my Power, to Coopperate with the Agent of the Massachusetts in fitting out the Frigate Raleigh to cruise in Conjunction with the Boston Cap. McNeale, as recommended by the Honle Assembly's of Massachusetts & New Hampe and now ordered by the Honle Committee, At present it's impossible, as both States have only Guns for one Ship indeed in this State we have not a Single Gun suitable, The Ship Raleigh as I've often wrote the Honbl Committee has laid since June entirely waiting for Guns a sett of which has been laying at Providence during that Time, every other material might have been obtained and the Ship manned at that Time had the Guns been ready the Privateers have stript us of our hands tho' I've no doubt she would soon be manned could the Guns be had we have about fifty Men on board and no more can be prevailed upon to enter untill the Guns are here, I conversed with Mr. [Thomas] Cushing and some of the Honle Committee on the Matter & told them I would Strain every nerve, to procure the Guns but told them at the same time of my Disappointment at Providence & that unless a sufficient number of Guns could be procured out of-the Batteriesain the Massachusetts she could not go outー

I shall use my best endeavours to procure Cannon but see not the least prospect unless ordered from Providence or Philadelphia in some Armed Vessel, which would not be verry great risque as there is not any Ship cruizing in this Bay at present belonging to the Enemy.ー

The Brig which is just arrived here from Bourdeaux on accot of the Continent,² (of which I've wrote the Honle Secret Committee fully to which I beg leave to refer the Honle Marine Committee) has brou't Powder small arms &c which I shall reserve for the Ship agreeable to order of the Committee, so that nothing is wanting but Guns & Men the latter of which I believe may be had, should there be a prospect of the Ship's going out I shall take Care to keep all Matters as secret as possible relative to the Continent agreeable to Orders but as to this matter all this part of the Creation knew the Intent long ago.ー

Mr [John] Wheelwright who was second Lieut, of the Raleigh has left her for the Command of a Privateer I've therefore put Cap Hopley Yetton [Yeaton] on board as third Lieut; (Mr. [Josiah] Shackford who was third riseing to second instead of Wheelwright) to act untill pleasure of the Honle Committee is known, I would beg leave to recommend Mr Yetton as a Gentleman worthy of that Post, he has Youth of his side a most excellent Seaman of undoubted Spirits, verry high in favour of the States verry popular among the Seamen ー I am with all due respect To the Honle Committee [&c.]