Providence Sept 20. 1775
On recept of this you are to Proceede Directly out to Sea in the Night on your arivall of[f] Block Island then and not till then Open this letter, In there, is your Order, and follow the Same, from Me &c
Nichols Cooke
[Enclosures]
Capt Grimes You Being Commander of the Packet ー Washington on the Opening these Orders You are to Proceed Directly of[f] Sandy Hook in Order to Meet Capt Abraham Whipple who is Crusing of[f] and on these [there] If you do not Meet him Directly You are To Continue Your Cruse of[f] and on Keeping out of Sight The Hook and Strik from Sight of Long Island Southward as far as the Egg harbour & back Until you find him. If You do not find him by the 27. of This Month, Not Meeting him you are to return Directly home but in Case You Meet Capt Whipple you are to abide with him and follow his order &c Delivering him This Letter Directed him Providence Sept 20. 1775.
Sr.
Providence Septr 20th 1775
as you order ware To Cruse off of Sandy Hook the Space of fourteen Days in order to Speak with the packet and Then proceed to Bromoda & there to proceed according to your Orders heretofore given; But having Recd undoubted Intiliogence That the powder &cat that place are already Taken away by order of the Committe these are therefore to Oder You to Continue Your Cruse for the Space Ten days Longer to gether with Capt Grimes in order to Take the Packet and then To Return To Providence: Capt Grimes by whom I Send This Letter is ordered To continue & Cruse with You To the End of your Cruse and Thn Return in Company [unfinished].
1. "Nicholas Cooke Correspondence," AAS Proceedings, New Series, XXXVI, 273-275. Grimes commanded the Rhode Island armed sloop Washington.
