Dear Sir

I shall be much Obligd If youll Inform me by return of Port what Commission you charge on Prizes, to the Continent & whether you are Agent to the Officers & Men whether any separate Commission for that or whether your Commission is on the Groce Sales — "by resolve of Congress we are ordered to make Distribution of the Officers & Peoples Prize Money as soon as may be after Sales," whether this is meant after, that after all Charges are paid; the Third should be paid to the Officers & Peoples' Agent to be by him proportioned & paid agreeable to Resolves or whether it is in our Department as Agents to make out the proportions for the Officers and Seamen & pay it with any Commission further — Esek Hopkins Esqre has appointed me Agent for the Officers & Seamen for the Continental Fleet in this State — Pray give me your Opinion on this matter fully — with great Respt [&c.]