Providence Decembr 4th 1776.
Gentlemen
I received your Resolve of this Day 2 and Note the Contents of it; I now let you know I have long had Orders from the Honorable Marine Committee to get all the Vessels out as soon as I could Man them, I should be glad that Your Honble Board wou'd Devise some way to compleat their Men to Enlist, and likewise some way that the great Number of De~erters may be sent on Board, a considerable number of which is now in this State. I am Gentl. [&c.]
Esek Hopkins
To the Honble Nichs Cooke Esqr Governor of the State of Rhode-Isld to be laid before the Committee of said State
1. Letters to the Governor, vol. 8, 1776, R.I. Arch.
2. The Committee resolved "that we will and do hereby advise Commodore Hopkins with the Continental Vessels under his Command within any of the Harbors of this State to put to Sea as soon as he thinks the same can be done with Safety," Letters to the Governor, vol. 8, 1776, R.I. Arch.
