Philadelphia [January 5, 1776] 2
Sir,
You being Commander of the Sloop Hornet in the senrice of the United Colonies, are instructed as soon as the said Sloop shall be armed and manned, to proceed down the Bay of Chesapeak so far as to be certain of not being interrupted by the ice, and choose some safe and convenient Station for annoying the Enemy in every way you can. You are also to order the Schooner Wasp to follow or accompany you, and to keep with you in the service. You are to hold yourself in continual readiness to join the Fleet of the United Colonies soon to sail for Chesapeak Bay. And as soon as you shall have joined them you are to follow such directions and instructions as you may receive from the Commander in chief of the said Fleet
1. Hopkins Papers, II, 18, RIHS.
2. The date is approximated. Definite orders to Stone to join the Continental fleet were issued on January 10, 1776, but as will be seen from the Naval Committee's letter of about January 5 to the Virginia Convention, there seemed to be some doubt as to just when Stone's juncture with the fleet was to take place.
