Honor'd Gent.

Our People's time will Expire some time this Month and the begining of next, and as their is wages given as far as Eleven Pounds per Month in the Merc[han]t Service its very Possible that many of them will leave the Service of this state without due Encouragement. I'm inform'd that there is a resolve made by the Honrble Convention of this State giving Twenty Dollars Bounty for Able seamen and ten Pounds for Ordinary Seamen, I'm in hopes this Bounty will Engage the whole of them or the greatest part, to the Service, provided its Advertised, I hope for your Instructions in this Case and should take it as a singular favour you would Provide for me the resolves of this State, or Congress, that is relative to the Navell Department that I may Act Accordingly. I'm doing all I can to get the Ship away before Christmas and make no doubt of its being so provided we can keep our people together. —

Since I wrote the above I recd your favour of the 6th Inst and it gives me pleasure, I can be Supply'd with Canvas, Mr Hollingsworth bid for the Snow fourteen Hundred Pounds & upwards. I believe he went as far as he thought the value of her, but was over bid. — The Schooner Nancy one of our Prizes I make no doubt will answer your purpose if large Enough. the Capt of her informs me she is a good Vessell and well found. — As I expect to see you in a few day I shall have an Oppertunity of ta[l]king farther with you, therefore shall trouble you no .further atpresent, but am Hond Gent [&c.]