Providence September 9th 1776
Sir
I receiv'd yours ー and now acquaint you that I had directions from the Marine Board to offer you the Command of a Schooner which they made no doubt was in New London, and directed Mr Shaw their Agent there to preserve her which can't be done as the Schooner is gone ー2 If Mr Shaw procures any other in her Room shall fit her out ー but I have no Orders to buy a Vessel myself ー that matter being entrusted to their Agent Mr Shaw ー Ifany thing offers shall acqu [ain] t you ー I shall be at New London in a few days, when I shall be able to inform you with more certainty, in the mean time I am [&c.]
E.H.
1. Hopkins Letter Book, RIHS.
2. Schooner Hawke which the Marine Committee had ordered purchased and renamed Hopkins.
