Hond Sir

I have waited patiently for your Answer to my letters of 19th & 20th Current which I understand you duly received — Your Silence on such an Occasion is Altogether a Mystery to me — If the Marine Board have not thought fit to communicate to You the plans which they have been pleased to give me in Charge, You cannot Surely take Offence at my Secrecy — nor Blame me for not betraying my trust. — My Honor, my Duty binds me to Secrecy as to the Business or Destination. — It is only necessary for me to inform you, as I have already done, That I am Appointed by a letter from the Honorable the Vice President of the Marine Board, dated the 5th Current to take command of the Alfred, Columbus, Cabot, Ham[p]den & Sloop Providence and to call on you for every possible Assistance within your power to enable me to proceed forthwith on A Private Enterprize of the Greatest Importance to America — [illegible] the letter [illegible] hath the Sanction and full Authority of Congress — it is Written in their Name. — therefore Sir, I repeat my Application, and demand Your Ready and immediate concurrence with me in the Outfit. — it is in Vain for you to Affect to disbelieve my Appointment. — I should have App[eared] Personally at Providence had you Justified my conduct in Obeying your express Orders instead of leaving me, as you have done, in the Lurch — I co[uld] then have convinced you of its being your indispensible duty to give me every possible Assistance. — When I placed a confidence in you I did not think you capable of Prevarication — I then, when you needed Friends, gave you the most convincing proof of My Sincerity — this you must remember. —

I have Asked Captain Saltonstall how he could in the beginning Suspect me, as you have told me, of being unfriendly to America. — he Seemed Astonished at the Question And told me that it was Yourself who first promoted it.

However waving every thing of a private nature the best way is to co-operate chearfully together that the public Service may be forwarded and that Scorn may Yet forbear to point her Finger at a Fleet under Your Command. — I am earnest in desiring to do every thing with Good nature — therefore to remove your doubts, if you have any, I send this by express to inform you that I will meet you at Pawtucket or at any other place on as early a day as You please to Appoint and will then produce Credentials to your Satisfaction — in the meantime it is your Duty to prevent the departure of the Cabot or any other Vessel of the Squadron — I am Astonished to heare that you have Ordered the Hamden out, without desiring an explaination After you received my last letters. — My Appointment was Unsolicited And Unexpected — And it must be Owing to the Hurry of Bussiness that You have received no Similar Orders. — I wait impatiently for Your Answer and Am Hond Sir [&c.]

N.B. I have sent by the Bearer the Coat which you desired likewise one for Mr Brown — If I can render you any Service here in procuring other articles a.cquaint me with the particulars and my best endeavours shall not be wanting.

[Endorsed by Jones] No 20 Boston Feby 28th 1777 Copy of a letter to Commdore Hopkins — at Providence.