Sir/

Your Letter to Mr Morris accompanying five Persons Inhabitants of New Jersey & taken Prisoners from the Enemy's Army, was laid before this Board, to which for the future, you will please to address any Matters that may respect the Continental Navy in the Middle Department.

We are at a Loss to know whether the Terms of agreement with the five Prisoners sent us, are to be considered as settled by the Legislature of the State to be at all Times applied in the like Cases, or as a particular Agreement with these five Persons. — We beg leave however to represent that the Advancing Bounty to Men in their Circumstances is what they have no Right to expect on their Parts, & is a very great Risque of the Public Money on ours. Men who voluntarily enlist in the Navy are obliged to give Security before they receive our Bounty, & these Tories professedly inimical & enlisting by a compulsive Choice will by the Terms of your Letter, receive the Bounty & give no security at all on the other Hand, we are sure they will take the first Opportunity of escaping. We are willing to allow them their Share of Prize Money & Wages, but request you will reconsider the Promise of Bounty to Men in their Circumstances. We are Sir [&c.]