Sir:
I waited on the Virginia Navy Board some time past, and
informed them the impossibility of getting men for the Caswell at the pay they limited me to, which is twenty dollars bounty, & half a dollar per day, provided they ship for three years. They informed me it was not in their power to advance the pay, & instructed me to follow such orders as I might receive from your Excellency from time to time. I think proper to acquaint your Excellency that the merchants give such exhorbitant pay for seamen, that it's entirely out of my power to procure them at the price above mentioned.Your Excellency's orders how to act, shall be strictly attended to by your mo. ob. hble servt.