Gentlemen

I have the honour of receiving your favour under the 18th of Octor furnishing me with a resolve of Congress to order a just distribution of all prizes taken by the Cruisers fitted out by order of General Washington on the Continental Account — to which I beg leave to reply, the prizes taken prior to the three scotch transports ² were under the direction of other Agents, who by a former order from Congress I have repeatedly call'd on to exhibit their Accounts for a Settlement, which at present remains to be done, tho' Mr [William] Watson assures me in a fortnight he will be ready to come to a Settlement, But I dispair of doing anything with Bartlet & Glover ³ —​ the latter bawls out of the unreasonableness of calling on him, when he is in advance for the Continent. I shall give a very close attention to settle the Accounts of all the prizes that's fallen into my hands, to pay the men their proportions and to forward to your board all the documents ordered and when I know what Ballance remains shall dispose of it agreable to your orders —

Two days since two prize Briggs arrived the one taken by the Hancock & Franklin from [torn] for the mediranean with 426 Teirces of Salmon & 420 quintals of dry fish ⁴ — the other brought in by the Lee from Halifax for Jama with lumber ⁵ I sometime since acquainted the honble Board with the conduct of Capt: [Daniel] Waters in the Lee relative to his refusing to joyn Capt [William] Burk[e] in attacking two vessells off Marblehead who was a good deal shatter'd by them while he [Waters] remain'd a s_hore & was only a spectator for want of his Assistance we lost them both — they were Scotch transports — the cruise before last he was near a month in the Eastern parts after he sail'd hence, the last Cruise I fitted him for a two months Cruise and he return'd before one month expired, I cant discharge my duty without acquainting the Board with such proceedings, and to inform you that the service realy suffers for want of some regulation which I hope you in your wisdom will soon make, the Schooner Lynch remains on pay haul'd up — hope I shall receive orders what to do with her —⁶ I have the Honour to be with all due Respects [&c.]