Our last was of the 25th Ultimo by Captain John Weelock by whom we transmitted you 500,000 Dollars for the use of your department.

   We are since favoured with yours of the 18th & l9th of the same month. (1) The Timber provided for the 74 Gun Ship building in your harbour we would have you put in such a State as to prevent it from rotting until a better time presents for pursuing the work. This we think may be done without incurring any great Expence by having it properly piled and covered with Scantling. We observe what you say respecting the Packets lately built and are pleased to find the Mercury so good a sailor, we desire you will hold Two of them in such a State as to be ready to sail in four or five days after the dispatches of Congress may reach your hands at the same time we think it will not be necessary to keep them fully manned. At present we have no idea of building any more vessels shortly, but when in future it shall be determined to build any in your Department we will not be unmindful of your recommendation of Mr Peck.

   As it is found that the Brigantine General Gates is so unsuitable a vessel for a Cruizer, we desire you will sell her to the best advantage reserving if you think proper her Guns and such of her materials as will be for the Public benefit. We have already wrote you that Captain Saltonstal should command the Warren in the room of Captain Hopkins, and as this Committee will never countenance any indecency of behaviour in their Officers to their Superiors-if Captain Palms has transgressed in any manner that will subject him to a Court Martial it is our desire that you immediately Order One to be held upon him; and we make no doubt as you have hitherto supported your dignity, so you will always continue to do it. We take it for granted that you will not suffer that lucky vessel the Sloop Providence to remain in Port, and we recommend to you the practice of always sending out the small vessels in company with the large ones. We enclose herein two receipts for four hundred Dollars advanced by our Agent at Baltimore William Smith Esqr. to Captain John Perkins of the Schooner Hazard for Paying Disbursements-that Vessel sailed the 2d. or 3d ultimo from Baltimore with 178 Barrels flour, 6 Tons, 18 Ct, 2 Qr bar Iron on board addressed to Mr John Langdon at Portsmouth for the use of your Department, and from intelligence since received we have reason to think she has been taken, and we find in the New York Paper that the General Arnold which sailed from Senepuxent with flour & Iron has been carried in there.

   The Confederacy & Boston have already Sailed to Cruize upon this Coast in quest of those Privateers that have so much infested our

   Trade, and we expect in a few days that the Deane will be able to follow them. We desire that you will give directions to the Commanders of the Ships of War in your Department to forbear the fireing of their Cannon morning or evening or by way of salute within the Ports or harbours of these United States unless in return of A like compliment from a foreign Vessel or by Special Order of Congress. We are Gentn, Your hble Servants