Williamsburg [Va.] 17th June 1778
Sir
As I have appointed you to the Command of the Schooner Peace & Plenty1 now lying at the Publick Ship Yard on Chickahominy; I desire you will without loss of time proceed to get your Complement of hands taking into the number two you are already furnished with, and give me immediate notice when you are in readiness to receive my further Orders, it may be necessary for you to go up and take charge of the Vessel to morrow with all her Appurtenances of which you must give me an exact account—The necessity of this business being carried on with spirit and Industry is obvious and I hope no further instructions are necessary for the present. From the Advice given you in person I should fain hope, for your Credit sake and the welfare of the state you will exert yourself in a manner much to your Credit: you must engage your Hands on the best terms you can so as not to run to a very exorbitant price, but prefer good, able-bodied Negroes acquainted with going by water, they may be got cheaper than white men and will do you more real Service.2 I am [&c.]
Thomas Smith AS3
NB— must employ a pilot to carry the vessel to Fredericksburg Rappahannock
LB, Vi, Thomas Smith Letterbook, vol. 3: 67. Addressed at top: "Captain Pharoah Fitzpatrick."
1. Peace & Plenty was a Virginia State trading schooner.
2. In a letter of 24 July to Capt. Thomas Gibbons, new commander of the Virginia State trading schooner Mayflower, Smith advised Gibbons to complete his crew by "giving a preference to Stout able Bodied Negro's which I have always found may be hired at lower Wages, and be made to do more duty then Common white men.” See Smith to Gibbons, 24 July, below.
3. An abbreviation for Agent of the State. Smith was Virginia State Agent.
