I received your Favour of the 17th per Mr Cabot & am very happy in the Intelligence it contain'd relative to the valuable Prize which has afforded Us so good a Supply of Ammunition, but cannot avoid mourning the Loss of Capt Mugford whom We are informed the Enemy boarded in a Day or two afterwards & slew with a great Loss on their Side.(1)

   I observe what You say relative to the State of the Colony & hope it will be soon reinforced by the Levies lately ordered by Congress from the same & Connecticut, as well as by a good Major General & Brigadier which We shall this Day apply for to General Washington. We shall take particular Care that the powder due to the Colony be

   I have inclosed to our worthy Speaker some Papers relative to Virginia & North Carolina's declaring for Independency to which beg Leave to refer you.(2)

   The lucky Circumstance of repairing the Cannon ought to be published that all the Colonies may receive the Information; & that they may be usefull as soon as possible. I hope the Blacksmith who repairs them will be immediately orderd to employ a Number of Hands & finish them without Delay as the Expence will be same as in the slow Way in Which I am informed he is now going on. I think those that are not repaired ought to be removed from the Castle untill that can be done, since the Enemy may effectually disable them if that place should be again attacked before it is well fortified.

   Pray let a Recommendation go to the Inhabitants of Boston to send their Salt into the Country as no advantage can accrue from its being in Boston & it is now become exceeding scarce & is almost essential to Existence.

   Lead is wanted, and the Example of this City will undoubtedly be readily followed by the Inhabitants of Boston in selling to the assembly their Leaden spouts, Weights &c. Small Arms are wanted & an additional Price must obtain them as it has done Salt petre. Powder I think We cannot Want in future if the Manufactory of Salt petre is pursued. Woolen Goods Vizt Blankets, Coats, Vests & Hose, & also Shirting must be manufactured as it was the last year. Pray push these Matters as of the utmost Consequence as well as the Manufactory of Lead which goes on briskly at Virginia.

   There is nearly 6 Months provision for an Army of 20000 Men in Massachusetts belonging to the Continent which is to remain there, excepting what may be wanted for the Ships of War, to supply the Army in that Department; so that We have Reason to suppose No Want will arise from that Quarter.

   I shall be glad to be informed whether Capt Johnson who arrived with Arms for the Colony last Winter rendered an Acct. to whom the same were delivered in the Army; Vouchers I think should be produced of the Delivery of her Cargo that the Continent might be charged Pray inform me likewise what is become of the Brigantine

   My Regards to all Friends & beleive me to be sincerely sir your Friend & huml sert, Elbridge Gerry

   RC (MeHi).