Sr

Your favor P Mr Hardy Iv'e Recd agreable to which and the Order from Capt [Abraham] Whipple and the Officers of the Columbus, Iv'e paid into Mr Hardy's hands, two thousand Seven hundred, and thirty pounds 8/7 Lmy in full for one Third part of the Nt Proceeds of the Prize ship Royal Exchange,² which is to be Proportioned, by your order, Agreable to the Resolves of the Honbl Congress among the Offi.cers and Men belongg to the Columbus, who took Sd Ship, one twentieth part of Sd Sum of Course is your property, and no Doubt will be Deducted before Distribution made to the Officers and Seamen of Sd Ship Columbus —

I have given Mr Hardy Copy of all the Accts as they Stand Settled by which youll See I've Charg'd the Captors only 2½ P Ct I have no order from Congress what I am to have on Prizes, for the other business I have five P Ct The way I have Proceeded, is to make out the Nt Proceeds, and Cr the Continent for two thirds and the Captor's Agent for the other third, which is agreeable to Resolves of Congress — untill the late Resolves which makes one half the Captors — The Agent for Captors this way, Charge five P Ct but as I was uncertain what I should have from the Continent for Prizes, made me Conclude to put down only 2½ PCt — as I was Determined to Settle the Voyage off hand tho' at my own loss this matter I shall leave at the Discretion of the Captors as Iv'e no doubt, they do by me every thing that is Right and Just, and what they Allow their other agents no doubt they'll give me — with which I shall be well Satisfied —

I hope e're long our Affairs will Appear better and that we shall be able to drive those infernal Spirits from your State. — our State are Determined to do all they can to Assist you — My best Wishes attend you — [&c.]

To Eseck Hopkins Esq.
Commander in Cheif A. Flt