[dateline] Boston 3. Ap. 77
[salute] My dear Sir
I scratch a Line in utmost Hast—Your kind Letter I receiv'd by Mr Jackson the Day
after sending one to you.
1 Your Tickets sell rapidly. Your Loan Office will fill apace. I wrote to you, or Mr
Adams on the American Navy. Manly's Character rises here. He has sail'd to Cape Ann
for some Men there and has press'd thro great Difficulties to get out—something must
be done to expedit Matters in that Department. Manly and McNeal do not agree.
2 It is not I believe, the Fault of the first. They ought to sail together with all
the Force they can obtain here to join them—a large Privateer would have readily done
it. McNeal is inclin'd, and has obtain'd Liberty from Congress it is said, to sail
alone. All may be lost in this Way. Jointly they might take single Frigates of the
Enemy, or oblige them to sail in Fleets, which would greatly open the Ports for the
Supplies from France and evry Quarter. Pray let some Orders be taken in this Matter
as early as may be. Dr. Williamson I find is arriv'd. I have had for a long
{ 139 } Time some Knowledg of him. He has been a good While in England. He ought to be well
tried before he is confided much in. The Post waits I must subscribe ever your's.
Manly and McNeal are now, like Matthews and Lestac.
3 If they are not better united, infinite Damage may acrue. The latter hardly brooks
the Superiority of the former—tho no Man has merited more, in the marine than Manly,
or promises better.