Dear Sir

I have communicated to Capt [James] Nicholson what you mention in your Letter of the 24th, expressing the desire of Congress to have his Frigate

fitted for Sea as soon as possible; and have asked his own opinion how soon (from her present Circumstances) She can be ready. He says that if he is supplyd with One large Anchor & shoud not be disapointed in his expectations of getting part of the Ship Defences Crew, he can certainly have her ready to sail in a Month at the utmost. — The Ship Defence is a few days ago arriv'd at Annapolis from her Cruise, And as her Crew were allmost every One recruited bv Capt Nicholson, they went out on the late Cruise chiefly at Capt Nicholson's request & with. the expectation of Shipping with him in the Frigate on their Return. The time of their enlistment will be expired about the 15th or 20th of next Month, before which they cant leave the Defence — Capt Nicholson thinks If he can get only half of them that he will be well off as to Seamen; — The Frigate has got 22 of her 12 Pounders mounted, the other 2 We expect to receive immediately. The 4 Pounders are not all come to hand, But that will not delay the Vesl as the Capt thinks it wd not be proper to Mount them now at going out —

Two of the Officers are now on the Eastern Shore :with Casks Salt & Coopers getting Pork put up, & part of the Beef is now making up here. — I have got the Gunsmiths employd in making the Musquets which will be all compleated in 3 Weeks. —

I will now give you a detail of the principal Wants, which I hope Congress will endeavour to supply by some Means or other; some of them being such as I see no prospect of being able to supply here. — Blankets, of these we can get none either in Town or Country, both being ransackd to equip the Flying Camp Troops. — The heavey Anchor w[hic]h I informed you Mr. Young had procured in Virginia is not yet brought up: But supposing it certainly to be got, Another of the largest Seize is still wanted. — lnclosed you have a List of the light Canvas yet wanted. The Sail Maker deliverd Me this lately, altho he had long before told Me, we had enough or nearly so. -As We expected in a Vesl here from Statia with Canvas, I thout it best to wait her Arrival rather than trouble Congress about it. The Vessel is arrivd a few days agoe at Sinepuxent, but cant learn the particulars of her Cargo. — Capt. Nicholson thinks that if you dont expect to get out any more than One of the Frigates from Philida. this Winter, You can spare a Set of those light Sails for him. -In the meantime I shall not fail to purchase whatever light Canvas may be arrivd in the Vesl at Sinepuxt.

On receiving the Advices yesterday that Genl Howe seems bent on pushing for Philada., A Number of the Officers & Gentlemen of Coll [William] Buchanans Bataln chiefly of this Town Militia, met & came to a Resolution of trying to make up a Number of Volunteers to march as soon as possible to Philada. — I have not a doubt thatthey will be able to make up a respectable Number, shoud none others besides meer Gentlemen go. — I flatter myself that the Example will have the most salutary effect & stimulate many other Batallions to march a Number of Volunteers on this very importt Occasion. — I wish my Situation woud admit of my Marching, but that is impossible. Mr [David] Stewart my Bror In Law & Co Agent for the Frigate & an Officer of the Marcantile Company, will certainly march for One altho but Just emerging from a Fever. My Bror ² is but Just beging to move about after a tedious Fever, wh subjects me to no little Bussins, so that I have no hopes of being able to go. — Captn Nicholson propased to go along with the Volunteers, as he thinks he coud be of Service in assisting about the Artillery: But I have perswaded him to go up to Congs as soon as ever the Bussns of the Frigate will admit of it. Accordingly he has resolved to go next Week. — I purpose getting him to send an Express for Captn [John Thomas] Boucher who lives at George Town on Potomk & in Order to take him up with him, as I am perswaded he is a Gentln very capable of being serviceable in any departmt about the Artillery. This Captn Boucher is the same who was lately in the Service of yr Colony, & formerly First Lieutt to Captn Nicholson in the Defence. I know him to be as brave a Man as lives, & One who will readily serve his Country on any Emergency. I am very sorry he was not thought of to be appointed to One of the Continl Vesls for which I apprehend he is One of the fittest Men on this Cont[inen]t — I know Capt Nicholson considers him as much superior to himself in the Knowledge of Marine Matters. He is a Man of Education & excellent Genius, and was brought up regularly in the Navy.

God grant us all firmness & Resolution at this important Crisis. I neither wish nor expect to survive the Liberties of our Country. If that is to perish, let us like Sampson bury Ourselves in the Ruins. Adieu My Dear Sir & May God bless you, prays Your [&c.]