New London July 24th 1777
[Extract] Gentlemen,
Yours of the 17th Ulto P. Capt [Samuel] Chew came to hand (and as I Expected) you Consider that I was not Authoriz'd by your former orders to buy a Brigtn Eight Months after without first Consulting you on that head —
The Case was Just this, I was Determin'd that so Good a Man as Capt Chew should not Remain Un Employ'd, and if you would not let him have a Vessell, I would let him have one on my own Accott if you had Refus'd to take the Brigg, it would have been no Determt to me on the Briggtn Sailing shall furnish you with the Accotts &c I shall have her Ready to Sail in a few days With advise to His Excellency Govenr Trumbull, I have fitted out the Continentl Sloop Scuyler, Under the Command of David Hawley who has his Station att or Near Norwalk, and have the Satisfaction to observe to you that I think he has Exerted himself to the Utmost in distresing the Enemys Coasting Vessells from Long Island to N York & has taken and brot into Port Five Sloops and One Schooner Laden with Wood Provisions &c No Great Value to the Contint but a Determent to the Enemy . . .
1. Nathaniel Shaw Letter Book, YUL.
