Sir

I have had a Complaint from some Officers & a number of the Alfred's People who Capt. [John Paul] Jones has discharged that he would not give them their Wages without their first Signing a power to him to be their Agent — If that is true it is a practice not to be Justified and I desire you will take no Notice of any power Extorted in that manner as such practices will greatly discourage People from Entering into the Service — and I believe Some of them Since has given the Agent here a power — and he has advanc'd some for them to Encourage to go into the Service again I am Sir [&c.]