Boston 8 July 1778
De[a]r Sir/
I am sorry to Inform you that from Intelegence gaind from one of the member of the Court ma[r]tial, I Suspect I am broake. he says the Sentence is for not doing the utmost that day the alfred was Taken.1 altho he says they have undertaken to recomend me to the Navy Board.2 and desird they would do it to Congress, as an able and Experiencd and dilegent officer.3 Tis a queer kind of a Sentense. I am Exceedingly unfortunate I Stand now in Need of Your advice what Step to persue I have not recevd the Stentanc from the Navy Board this is an intire secret with You and beg You will not mention the Matter Yet. But I must but must Beg You will write to me by the Next post-and Tell me if you think it worth my while to go or write to Congress. I have no Friend there that I know of.- I do expect to have a Coppy of the Sentense Soon from the Board no Charge of Cowardice or any thing is Laid to my Charge but about 10 minuets Errors' Judgement I am Sir [&c.]
Thos: Thompson
L, Private Collection, Capt. J. G. M. Stone, Annapolis, Md., 1959. Addressed on cover: "To/Genl. William Whipple Esqr/Portsmouth." Addressed below close: “Genl Wm. Whipple Esqr." Docketed: "Capt Thompson/8th July."
1. Continental Navy ship Alfred, Capt. Elisha Hinman, commander, was captured on 9 Mar. 1778 by H.M. frigate Ariadne and H.M. armed sloop Ceres, while returning from France in company with Continental frigate Raleigh, Capt. Thomas Thompson, commander. See Journal of H.M.S. Ariadne, 9 Mar. 1778, NDAR 11: 575.
2. Continental Navy Board of the Eastern Department.
3. During the first week of August, the following letter of recommendation was printed in several Boston newspapers: “That the Members of the Court Martial, held on Thomas Thompson, late Commander of the Raleigh, have wrote a Letter to the Navy Board, wherein they have recommended him in strong Terms, as still qualified to be again employ'd in the American Navy, testifying their opinion, that he is an able experienced Officer, and a good Seaman, that his Misconduct on the 9th March last, when in Company with the Alfred, appeared to them an Error in Judgment only, and not to proceed from any defect of Heart—They desire that the said Representation may be transmitted to Congress by the Board; and farther say, they hope 'twill have a due Effect with Congress in behalf of a Man whom they consider as a good Officer.—We are informed said Letter is forwarded to Congress accordingly." Boston-Gazette, and Country Journal, 3 Aug. 1778; Independent Ledger (Boston), 3 Aug. 1778; and Continental Journal, and Weekly Advertiser (Boston), 6 Aug. 1778.
