Boston July 2d 1777.
Sir
I have now to inform you that I yesterday recd Orders from Congress to proceed from Portsmouth in the Ship Ranger instead of the Amphitrite — Captain Roach [John Roche] being suspended in consequence of a com plaint from this State — I am the more sensibly Affected on his Account as congress have thought proper to put the Ship under my direction — And I wish heartily that he May be able to disprove the charges brought Against him.
The Ranger taken altogether will in my Judgement prove the Best Cruiser in America. — she will Always be able to fight her Guns under a most excellent cover; and nothing can be better calculated for Sailing fast or making Good Weather. — When we reach France She will be a great Addition to our other Force and insure Facilitate our Success.
As you are confident that a number of good Men will enter with you at Providence to Sail under my Command You are directed to enter as Many as possible - but especially good Seamen — as I mean to appoint some petty Officers from Among them — You are to call on Captain Arrowsmith of the Marines and order him to Assist and co-Operate with you in this Enlistment. — for this purpose let him go round with a Drum Fife, and Colours as Often as may be proper. and let it is my express desire & direction that both of you exert yourselves in this Business to the Utmost of your Skill and Abilities. — be careful to Avoid all cause of complaint & let your whole deportment be Such as becomes the dignity of Your Rank — As I obtained for Captn Arrowsmith his present Commission and Brought introduced him into the Service at the first — he will now have an Opportunity of Recommending himself to further Notice. — You will duely note the Orders which I inclose for him and take care that they are Punctually Obeyed.
You are not to pay the Advance at Providence — but such as Enlist must be sent in small parties under persons of trust immediatly here — their reasonable expences will be Allowed- they will be entitled to Wages from the day of Entry — and the Advance will be paid on their appearance at the Ship. Upon the whole I shall expect you to Observe the Strictest Frugality that may be consistent with the Service. — Since the establishment of the Navy none have had so good, so fair a prospect before them as ours is at present — this makes any Arguments in favour of it Unnecessary. — the Ranger is Equiped and in Readiness — A few Men Only are Wanting — I mean to begin enlisting here to Morrow — I will give Orders Also to Enlist at Various places to the Eastward.
The Agent there must Supply you with what little cash may be necessary — I shall write to him and to You Again Unless I determin Soon to come up there myself — Inclosed you have Blank Articles — but as I do not yet know the Name of the Frigate I rather prefer your using the Written Articles which I gave you When here — You may inform Mr House And other Officers and Men — that Congress have Sent us a Number of Blank Commissions and Warrants — and that the Officers are not Yet Appointed. But their must be no Other connection in this Way. — The Clock Strikes Twelve. I am Sir [&c.]
J.P.J.
NB A Surgeon or other Gentlemen who have Abilities maymake application to me by Letter (on public service) You may Ask Mr Pitcher what he intends doing; and if You know of any other Officers out of employment — it is your duty to return their Names &ca to me. Congress have determined to Support as few Idle Officers as possible.
1. Papers of John Paul Jones, 6598, LC.
