[Extract]
. . . inform you, that the Sloop Independence Commanded by Lt Robinson [James Robertson], (Cap Young being left behind sick) pushed out from Chincoteague where she first put in, and notwithstanding she was chased by Six of the Enemys Cruizers at our Capes, She got safe up here & is now landing the Cargo. I have determined to send 856 Blankets that came in her, to Genl Washington and have informed him they were imported for the use of the New recruits, but as the Inclemency of the Weather and the exceeding Severe duty of the Troops now with him, entitles them to every comfort we can afford I submit to him whether to make use of them for their use or not.2
The cloths I will deliver to Mr [James] Mease with orders to have them made up fast as possible — 919 Muskets shall be delivered to Mr Commissary Towers to wait the orders of Genl Washington or of the Board of War and I hope one or other of them will send orders soon as possible —
The Council of Safety want Money and have sent an express for a Supply I have borrowed Sufficient for the Marine department altho the Disbursements are considerable. Capt Biddle will get more seamen than we expected. the Delaware is getting ready and I have ordered the Fly Capt Warner down the Bay to watch the Enemies Ships & bring us word if they shou'd quit that Station. I have sent an express across the Jerseys to Capt Baldwin of the Wasp to Cruize outside of them to give notice to inward bound Ships, and have Stationed the Hornet Capt [John] Nicholson (who attempted to get out to Sea but cou'd not) in Christeen Creeks Mouth to Act in Conjunction with a large Galley of this State in defence of that Creek as there are many Valuable Stores up it I shall get the sloop Independence hove down & some little damage she recd at Chincoteague repaired & then send her also to watch the Enemys Ships .... There are some Prisoners on board the Enemies Ships at our Capes that have wrote up to me to procure their release, Amongst the rest Capt Morgan of the Bermuda Sloop that carried Mr Deane to France, who was returning here with dispatches and some Goods and was unfortunately taken near Cape May. I will send a letter for Capt Hammond of the Roebuck open to Henry Fisher at Lewis Town to be sent off by a Flag, in which I shall assure him that we have suffered great Numbers of Masters, Mates & Men belonging to Merchant Ships taken by our Cruizers to depart, without thinking of detaining them for an exchange & recommend his releasing these People or he will oblige us to alter that part of our Conduct as this is strictly true in a number of instances that have come under my Notice I hope Congress will approve the design. . . .