Providence Feby 12 1777 —
Sir
I receiv'd your favour of the 8th Current by John Robinson,2 and I can See no difficulty in giving him a Certificate for his Prize Money during his Service in the Fleet, as it only appears the Continent is in advance £ 11 .. 14 / Penny Curry — Therefore it belongs to you to Certify that John Robinson is entitled to Prize Money during the time of his Service in the Fleet mentioning at same time the Continent is so much in advance for him, which Sum the Continental Agent will of Course deduct from him when the Certificate is produced, as no Prize Money will be paid without first producing a Certificate from the Captain he Last Sail'd with — It would still be more proper to mention in his Certificate what Prizes he has been at the taking of.
pr Order of Commr Hopkins
John Manley 3
1. Hopkins Letter Book, RIHS.
2. Seaman on board the Alfred.
3. Deputy Continental Agent for Rhode Island.