To Abraham Whipple Esquire
Captain of the ship Columbus
You having received a Commission from the Congress to command the aforesaid ship You are hereby directed to take charge of her and all her officers men & stores ー to see that everything be conducted in the most prudent manner, and that the most careful and exact discipline peace and good order be maintained at all times onboard the said ship ー And that you put yourself and the ship aforesaid under the direction of Esek Hopkins Esqr Commander in Chief of the Fleet of the United Colonies and to follow observe and obey, all such directions, instructions and Commands as you may receive from him ー and carefully observe and answer all such signals as he may display ー for which purpose you will receive from him an account of the intention and signification of each signal ー And you are to be particularly careful that you do not seperate from the Fleet unless by express orders from the Commander in Chief ー But if by the extremity of weather it should so happen, You are to use your utmost endeavours to join it again immediately at such rendezvous as may be appointed for that purpose
Dated at Philadelphia Jany 6. 1776.
By Order of Congress 2
Step Hopkins Silas Deane Chris Gadsden Joseph Hewes
1. U.S. Navy, Mss., NYPL.
2. This was a form letter in the hand of Timothy Matlack, secretary of the Continental Naval Committee, and signed by four of the committee members. In addition to the letter to Whipple, the one to Nicholas Biddle has been located. Those to Dudley Saltonstall of the Alfred, John Burroughs Hopkins of the Cabot, and John Hazard of the Providence have not been located.
