Naval Committee [Philadelphia] January 4th. 1776 ー
This Committee are of Opinion that all the Officers and Men employed in the Service of the United Colonies by sea who do their duty properly but who notwithstanding their utmost efforts are taken Prisoners, are properly entitled to the same Wages that they Received before they were made prisoners, until they are Released from Captivity ー And the Commander in Chief is hereby desired to signify the same to the Officers and Men under his Command
The above is a true Copy Esek Hopkins Comr in Cheff
1. Charles Roberts Autograph Collection, HCL.