My Dear Sir,

I arrived here the 24th: the [Marine] Committee have not met since my arrival but have mentioned your demand to some of the members, there is no doubt but I shall be in cash to honor your drafts whenever they appear. there is no prospect of cannon from this place, however, I have some hopes from another quarter viz: Connecticut ー the circumstances are these ー the cannon are made for the Trumbell [Trumbull] in that State and there is no prospect of her being provided with other necessaries ー the Committee have wrote to Govr Trumbell [Jonathan Trumbull] to procure cannon for two ships and in the mean time to send those made for the Trumbell to you from the known disposition of that gentlemen to promote the public good I have great hopes you will be supplied from that quarter, orders are gone to Providence to supply you with canvass for a second suit of sails. I don't know but you'll have a wrangle on your hands with the Providence gentry however my boy I'll stand by you as long as I can ー the ships here are not so forward as I expected to find them only three of them are launched. The rank of the Captains in the naval service was established before I arrived; I find [Thomas] Thompson is the 6th on the list ー had I been here, I certainly would have had him higher ー how-ever considering the train after him, I think it pretty well ー for want of time must refer you to Col [Josiah] Bartlett for news &c In haste as you see Your affectionate friend [&c.]