Gentlemen

Inclosed are several documents by which you will learn that you are appointed Commissioners to transact some business on behalf of the United States with the Gentlemen who were appointed Agents by General Washington for the Prizes taken by the fleet fitted out by his directions.

The Marine Committee request you will undertake the said business and proceed in it with as much expedition as possible. The service having already suffered by reason of delays in that department. You will perceive that you are empowered to pay any balances which you shall find due to any of the said Agents, but as you may not receive funds sufficient for that purpose, we hereby empower you to draw bills on us for any Sums you may want to enable you to execute the Resolution and if you cannot conveniently procure Money on such bills we request you to use your Credit to procure the same, & we shall take care to reimburse you as soon as we can know the amount, with all expences attending the transactions, and Interest for any advance if required. You will please to observe that the Captors in the above mentioned Fleet, are not entitled to so large a proportion of the Prizes, as those who have Served in the Navy line constituted by Congress — You will be pleased therefore to have recourse to the Regulations made by Genl Washington relative to this matter, and to subsequent Resolutions of Congress. We suppose that the Agents are possessed of Copies of the Regulations.

You[r] well known Zeal for the Public cause has induced us to appoint you to this business and we have the strongest confidence in your dilligence & fidelity ー You will perceive you are also empowered to value any goods which may have been delivered by the Continental Agents for Prizes for the use of the United states. We are Gentlemen [&c.]