Observing by your Correspondence with Congress that you are put to a great deal of Expence by American Seamen arriving from Captivity at Cadiz where they also grow very troublesome— I offer the following Proposal to your consideration— Authorise Mr Harrison or whoever may be your Agent at Cadiz, to enter into Contracts with Such Americans as present themselves for the Bounty of their Country to proceed from Cadiz in such Ship or Vessell as he may provide for the purpose for such Port within the United States as he may appoint at the Monthly Wages of Six or Eight Spanish Dollars, to be paid so Soon after their Arrival in America as the Cargoe of the Vessell shall be Landed. after they sign such Contract, he to supply their Wants Sparingly untill he Collects a sufficient Number to Mann a suitable vessel which he may procure either by Charter or purchase whichever may be in his power and shall appear most Eligible at the time, If he Charters, it should be on such terms that the Owners risque their Vessell putting in their Own Master and if they choose it part of the Seamen—the Vessell to be Loaden with Salt for Account and Risque of the United States freight so much pr bushel or so much pr Ton to America & back, but in that Case let it be always a Condition that the Vessell may be Ordered from the first place she Arrives at, to any one other Port in America, because it may happen that she will Arrive where there can not be got a Cargoe to load her back, or where the Salt would be of no use—

If your Funds will admit of it, and Vessells can be purchased cheap, this would be the more Eligible Mode of doing the business, because I could then either send the Vessells back, or sell as might suit best, in case of purchase they should be fast Sailers with good Sails Rigging well found and fitted and if Armed so much the better. Honest, Active, Industrious & faithfull Masters must be provided for these Vessells and they must all come addressed to my Order directed for this Port with Liberty however to get into any safe Port they can, the Master to give me immediate Notice of his Arrival when I shall give proper Orders or probably have them previously ready, An Account of the Monies Advanced to each person on board these Vessells as well as the Cost and Outfit of such Vessell With Amot of Cargo must be sent me by each Vessell in order that proper deductions may be made from the people and proper Credit be given for the Costs. You will observe I am duly empowered by Congress to Export and import for Account and at the Risque of the United States and I think this Plan so likely to benefit the Publick that I very freely give my Sanction to it. Provided you can find the Money your Agent must give me regular Advice of every Expedition and inform you also Whenever he Commences thereon; When a Ship is provided and a Master Appointed all the Men shoud Sign Articles for a Voyage in the Common form—1 I am Dear Sir Your Obedt. Humb Servt