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 139Time 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.

I had the pleasure Yesterday of receiving your favours of the 15th. and 18th. of March.1 There are few things I wish for more than A War between Britain, and France &c. I am therefore greatly pleased with the Accounts you have of the probability of it. Such has been the situation, of matters for some time that I could not see how it could be Avoided, and yet my Impatience makes me Uneasy at the delay, least something might Intervene to prevent it. I have A right to pray for it as an Event that may serve my Country, and the Chastisement of Britain for their own good, or their destruction for the good of Mankind perhaps are not Improper subjects of prayer.

I am glad you have raised your Interest to six per Cent and am told that it has had a favourable Influence here. Your Loan Office is successful. How much has been received I cant Inform you.2 Your Tickets that were sent here were all nearly sold in A 140few days, and perhaps double the Number would have sold. Whether patriotism or the hopes of Gain has Occasioned this rapid Sale of 12. or 15,000. Tickets in so short A time is A question that deserves the Attention of the politician, but either of them will Answer the present purpose.

I hope the late Inconvenience you have seen in voting by States will stimulate you to form your Constitution. That seems to be A matter as long in Agitation with you as with us, and if something dont Accelerate your motions we shall get the start of you. We have Agreed I mean the House3 upon A recommendation to the people at their next Election to Choose their Representatives for that among Other purposes. The form they shall Agree on however to be subject to the Approbation of their Constituents.

We have No News. Are straining our Nerves to forward our Men, but our Motions are slow. The Enemy Continue at Rhode Island, and have lately been reinforced from whence we know not. They now Consist of about 4000. We have not been so Attentive of late to the defence of that state as I think we ought to be, but we have now A Committee, and I hope if the Enemy make no Attempt on Providence &c. in A few days they will be in A posture of defence. The Enemy are fortifying the Island which looks as if they Intended to Continue there. There seems to be A prospect of small Breeze between the present College Treasuror and some of his friends. As I am Informed he refuses to resign, and has wrote some Letters threatening vengeance if left out. The Overseers have however recommended to the Corporation to Choose A New one, and I suppose they Intend it. I wrote Mr. Adams yesterday about Mr. Temple's Affairs.4 I wish you would attend to it if anything can be done. I am much hurried this Morning, and must Conclude and Am as usual Your Sincere Friend.