The canvass, I hope, will be soon with you; but I fear it will be some time before you will get the guns; if they are to go from hence, I see no prospect of your having them till July. The furnaces are at work at Providence, and, by what I can learn, have made a considerable number. I think it would be well for you to take a ride there; you will then be able to judge of the probability of getting them from thence; and on the earliest notice from you, I will get an order for the first guns that are made, after the ships that are building there are supplied. I shall lay your proposals for purchasing the powder before the Committee this evening; shall also apply for cash: you don’t mention the sum you shall want, but my application shall be for the round sum of ten thousand; if that should not be sufficient, let me know seasonably, and I will endeavour that you shall be supplied.

May 21.—The foregoing was written last evening to save time. I have got an order for the sum above-mentioned, and shall send it forward in a few days. Mr. Morris, Chairman of the Secret Committee, desires you will buy the powder, and your draft shall be duly paid, or the money sent you on the earliest notice. No doubt you will buy it as cheap as you can; the highest price that has been given here is five shillings, this currency. I imagine provisions will be ordered from Cambridge, where a large quantity was left by the Army. I shall let you know more of that shortly. Colonel Bartlett arrived the 17th, afternoon; he writes to you this post. By the enclosed alarm you will see the effect the late resolve of Congress has had in this city; no doubt it will have the same in some other places. By next post will endeavour to send you the forms you mention; at present can only send you one.

Yours, sincerely,

WILLIAM WHIPPLE.

WILLIAM WHIPPLE TO JOHN LANGDON.

Philadelphia, May 28, 1776.

MY DEAR SIR: Your two favours, of 11th and 12th current, came duly to hand. I rejoice to find your ship the most forward of any except those at Providence; but I very much fear you will still wait for guns if they are not to be had at Providence, as I mentioned in my last. I have still kept off the appointment of an agent, in hopes of fixing the appointment to your mind. I have nominated the Captain, who is unanimously accepted by the Committee, but the sanction of Congress is still wanting, which I think there is no doubt of. The attention of Congress has been taken up for some days in conference with General Washington, as to the plan of operations for this campaign; so soon as that is finished, and the conference with the chiefs of the Six Nations, who are now here, naval matters will be attended to; but I shall be glad of an answer to one of my letters wherein I wrote freely of those you proposed for officers, before I nominate them.

You are much mistaken if you supposed I meant to call in question your patriotism. My only design was to point out to you what might be the opinion of envy. I wrote from the sincerity of my heart, with the freedom of friendship; relying on your confidence and candor, shall say no more on the subject.

I observe there is a number of sand bags on board the prize carried into Boston. Will they not make hammocks? Bread and salt provisions will be furnished from Boston. I intended to have written several letters to my friends, but, as the post goes out earlier than usual this morning, have not time, and am obliged to conclude this in a hurry.

Yours, &c.

WILLIAM WHIPPLE.

WILLIAM WHIPPLE TO MESHECH WEARE.

Philadelphia, May 28, 1776.

SIR: We have obtained an order for ten thousand five hundred dollars, for defraying the expenses of raising and advancing a month’s pay to the regiment to be stationed at Portsmouth, which we are only waiting for an opportunity to send forward. Salt provisions and flour may be supplied from Boston, where a much larger quantity was left by the Commissary-General than will be wanted by the troops stationed there.

We are extremely sorry that the Colony we have the honour to represent, which has had so high a place in the esteem of the whole continent for their forwardness and great exertions in the glorious contest in which we are now engaged, should be lessened by the delays of the regiment ordered last winter into Canada. Our misfortunes in that country are owing to the tardiness of that and two other New-England regiments. If that regiment had marched at the time we expected, and frequently asserted, the evil might have been averted. We hope, for the honour of the Colony, there will be a strict inquiry made, and the causes of the delay fully investigated, that the officers, if they are faulty, may be brought to justice.

The Convention of Virginia have instructed their Delegates to use their endeavours that Congress should declare the Colonies a free and independent state; North-Carolina has signified the same desire; South-Carolina and Georgia will readily accede; and we shall be glad to know the opinion of our Colony on this subject. It is probable the Proprietary Governments will be the last to agree to this necessary step. The disaffected in them are now exerting themselves, but their exertions are no more than the last struggles of expiring faction. We hope in a few months civil Governments will be established in all the United Colonies on a firm and permanent basis.

I am, &c.,

WILLIAM WHIPPLE.

WILLIAM WHIPPLE TO JOHN LANGDON.

Philadelphia, June 2, 1776.

MY DEAR SIR: Your favour of the 20th ultimo came to hand yesterday. I think I mentioned to you in a former letter that I supposed there would be a considerable, alteration in the wages of the officers in the naval service: the principal officers higher, and the warrant and petty officers considerably lower. As there is the greatest probability that these alterations will take place, you no doubt will be careful of the encouragement you give those you engage. I told you in my last that Congress was engaged in a conference with the General on the necessary operations for the present campaign. This business is not yet finished, nor do I think will be this week, and Congress have determined to do no other business till that is completed. So soon as that is done naval matters will be attended to. I wish you had talked with some of those gentlemen you proposed for officers. My objection still remains to him you mentioned for First Lieutenant. It is merely on account of his unsteadiness that I object to him, and that must remain until his nature is changed; however, if you are fond of having him appointed, I will give up my opinion. R. Parker I have a very good opinion of, and should be very fond of serving him, but am something doubtful whether he would make a good subordinate officer, even if he would accept. I have a high opinion of Shores, Wheelwright, and Follet, as resolute and enterprising men. I shall be glad if you will talk with them, or such as you think will best answer the purpose. There will be time enough for you to answer this before it will be necessary to fill up the commissions, as there are no guns yet, and I fear they are still to be made. For my part, I have no views whatever in these appointments but the publick good. If there should be any worthy men who would be willing to enter into the service that cannot be provided for in this ship, I will do my endeavour to get such places for them as will be most agreeable m some other, and no doubt some may be provided for in this way. Have not yet had an opportunity to send the money, but have a prospect of one in a few days.

Here is a report that Colonel Bedel, who was posted at a place called the Cedars, some distance above Montreal, is cut off by a party of the Eighth Regiment and Indians that came down the St. Lawrence, also Major Sherburne, who endeavoured to support him. This story comes in so loose a way, and at the same time so different from the accounts we have just before received from Canada, that I do not credit it; however, it may be true. We must expect to meet with some hard rubs.

A brig in the service of the continent arrived a few days since with some powder and arms. Several French vessels have also arrived here lately, with sugar, molasses, coffee, &c. The agent is not yet appointed. I still intend to insist on my first proposal. My regards to your friends, and accept the best wishes of your assured friend,

WILLIAM WHIPPLE.