We have your favours of the 9th 16th & 25th december, 6th, 13th, 15th, 21st & 27th ultimo,(1) which at present we have not time to answer, but we shall shortly consider their Contents and reply to such parts as may be necessary.

   In consequence of your last letter of the 27th and the letter Inclosed therein from Governor Trumbull we have Ordered Captain Harding in the Confederacy to join the State Ships in the proposed attack upon the enemies Vessels in the Western sound, and have allowed ten days after the sailing of his Ship from New London harbour for compleating that expedition, and if not done in that time he has our Instructions to proceed without delay on a Cruize upon the Coast to the southward, or sooner should the expedition be accomplished. We hope you have taken due Care to have that ship properly victualled and fitted for a long Cruize. We send you enclosed herein Coppies of our Letters to Governor Trumbull and of our Orders to Captains Harding & Olney (2)-the latter we have ordered to Cruize to the southward. We expect by the time this gets to hand that the ship Ranger will be compleated for the Sea-if so-or as soon after as she can be made ready we desire you will send her on a Cruize upon the Coast to the southward with Orders to join (if possible) the Deane, Queen of France & Confederacy and to Cruize in Company with those Ships.

   We doubt not your most vigourous exertions are employed in preparing for Sea the Other Ships in the Port of Boston we have little hopes that they can be all manned shortly & would suggest to you the propriety of putting the men engaged with the Other Ships on board that Ship which has the best prospect of being first manned and by that means compleating her complement. Should you adopt this plan, you will do it in the best manner so as to keep the Seamen in good humour. We shall shortly again write to you respecting our Instructions with regard to the employment of the Ships you are now fitting out, in the mean time you will keep us constantly advised of their condition and the expectations you have of compleating them-we request you will acquaint us with the state of the Ship building at Portsmouth in New Hampshire.

   We have given Orders for purchasing a quantity of Flour & Iron for the use of your Department, and desire that you will procure five small fast Sailing Vessels-three of which you will Order to Baltimore and two to this place for the purpose of transporting this Flour and Iron to the Eastward. Two of these Cargos will be wanted in New Hampshire, it may therefore be proper to direct the Agent at Portsmouth to send two Vessels from thence, more especially as probably vessels may be procured on better terms there than at Boston. If there are any vessels belonging to the Public that are suitable for this Service it will be best to employ them. Those that go to Baltimore must be addressed to William Smith Esqr. You will duely advise us of the sailing of these Vessels and their burthen. There now remains at Senepuxent of what was formerly purchased for your Department 180 barrels flour and 542 bar, or about 7 1/2 Tons Iron. You will please to procure and send a proper fast Sailing vessel to that place to transport the same to your port. We are Gentlemen,