Dear Sir

You will perceive by a Letter from the [Naval] Committee, dated yesterday, that they have pitched upon you to take the Command of a small Fleet, which they and I hope will be but the Beginning of one much larger.

I suppose you may be more serviceable to your Country, in this very dangerous Crisis of its affairs, by taking upon you this Command than you can in. any other Way. I should therefore hope that this will be a sufficient Inducement, for you to accept of this offer. You[r] Pay and Perquisites will be such as you will have no Reason to complain of. Such officers and seamen as you may procure to come with you, may be,informed, that they will enter into Pay from their first engageing in this service, and will be intituled to share as Prize, the one half of all Armed Vessells, and the one Third of all Transports that shall be taken.

You may assure all with whom you converse that the Congress increase in their Unanimity, and rise Stronger and Stronger in the Spirit of opposition to the Tyrannical Measures of Administration. I am your affectionate Brother