[York, Pa.] June 24th 1778
Sir
We have received your favour of the 18th May advising the Capturing of three of the enemies Vessels by the Gallies under the Command of Oliver Bowen esqr. and approve of your intention to purchase the said Vessels for account of the United States which we expect you have executed and that they are employed in assisting of the Continental Troops upon the expedition to the southward.1 We expect shortly to have from you an account of your proceedings in that business.2 We enclose herewith a set of Rules & Regulations for the Navy and a Resolve of the Congress of the 30th of October 1776 for your government3 a new set of Rules & Regulations for the Navy are now forming when they are finished we shall send you Coppies thereof4 in the mean time We are with much regard Sir [&c]
LB, DNA, PCC, Marine Committee Letter Book, fol. 161 (M332, roll 6). Addressed before opening: “John Wereat Esqr."
1. Wereat's letter of 18 May has not been found. On the capture of the H.M. armed brig Hinchinbrook, East Florida Province armed sloop Rebecca, and an unidentified watering brig, see Col. Samuel Elbert to Maj. Gen. Robert Howe, 19 Apr., in NDAR 12: 138–39. On this date, the committee also sent a letter to Commo. Oliver Bowen of the Georgia State Navy congratulating him on taking these vessels. LB, DNA, Marine Committee Letter Book, fol. 161 (M332, roll 6).
2. Wereat had written the Marine Committee concerning his efforts to obtain the captured vessels on 1 June. That letter has not been found, but its contents are discussed in a resolve of Congress of 29 July, below.
3. See NDAR 6: 1463–64.
4. Congress did not revise the rules and regulations until 1782. JCC 22: 10–11
