Eagle Off New York
February the 1st 1777.
Number 20.
Sir
The Rebel Prisoners detained some time in the Cruizing Frigates, by a frequent View of the Signals appointed for making the Ships of this Fleet known to each other, have been able to retain the Memory of them; And to communicate them upon their Exchange, to the Commanders of the Rebel Armed Vessels. It has therefore been necessary to make such an Alteration in those Signals, as will guard against that Inconvenience in future. And I transmit herewith a Copy of the Signals I have directed to be used here for that Purpose.2
These I imagine it will not be requisite to alter, unless the Rebels become by an Accident possessed of a Copy of them. And in that Case, a sufficient Change may be made in them, by ordering the Months (for Instance) at the Head of the first Column to be transferred to the Head of the Second, Third, or Fourth, and so in Succession of the others; Without altering the Signals themselves; Tho' several of them are ill chosen, in as much as they require an Alteration of Sail, which may be highly improper on many Occasions; But the Private Ships not being now aIIowed the National Colours of the other Maritime Powers, nor any Extra Colours, no better Means have offered for composing the necessary Variety.
I am, with great Consideration Sir [&c.]