Page:American History Told by Contemporaries, v2.djvu/585

No. 194] give you the present state of our Navy, according to the best of my knowledge at this time.

The frigate in New-Hampshire is a very fine ship, completed in every particular, except the want of cannon, which was to have been cast in. Rhode-Island, but the spirit of privateering has prevailed so eminently there, that they have sacrificed every other pursuit to it, both publick and private, as I am informed ; and we have ordered the guns cast in Connecticut for that frigate to be sent to Portsmouth. As soon as they arrive, the Raleigh will be manned, and sail on a cruise.

At Boston they have also two fine frigates. The Boston, of twenty-four guns, I expect is at sea before this time, commanded by Captain McNeil, a very clever officer. The other is nearly ready, commanded by Captain Manly.

In Rhode-Island were built the two worst frigates, as I have been informed by those that have seen the whole. These two are completely fitted, and were partly manned when we last heard from them ; so that I hope they are now at sea.

In Connecticut, the frigate is said to be a fine ship ; but she cannot get to sea this winter for want of cordage and other stores.

In New-York, two very fine frigates are blocked up by the enemy, and hauled into Esopus Creek for safety.

At this place, we have four very fine ships. One of them, the Randolph, Captain Biddle, of twenty-six twelve-pounders, will, I hope, go to sea in company with this letter ; another, the Delaware, Captain Alexander, is getting ready, and I hope will get out this winter. The other two want guns, anchors, and men.

At Baltimore, is a fine frigate, now only waiting for an anchor and men.

Besides these, we have in service, the Alfred, Columbus, and Reprisal, ships from sixteen to twenty-four guns, the brigantines Cabot, Carnden, Andrew Doria, and Lexington, of twelve to sixteen guns ; the sloops Providence, Hornet, Fly, Independence, Sachem ; and schooners Wasp, Musquito, and Georgia Packet, all in actual service ; and they have had great success in taking valuable prizes, as indeed have numbers of privateers from all parts of America. We have besides, two very fine row-galleys, built here, of ninety feet keel, but they are not yet rigged ; and it has lately been determined by Congress to build some line-of-battle ships, and at all events to push forward and pay the utmost attention to an American Navy.