No 136.

Sir The Council of Safety upon Consideration some Days age on the Impracticability of Square-rigged Vessels escaping the Enemy in their Way to their several Ports of Destination did conceive that small sharp rigged Vessels would more probably meet with success ー We have therefore thought it most advisable to send the Cargo of the Brig Fortune to the West Indies in such Vessels, and for that Purpose, have wrote to Persons who, we are informed, can furnish us with them ー in the mean Time we would direct that the Cargo of the Brig should not be unloaded but kept on Board until you have further Instructions from us ー Captn [Abraham] Van bebber can't be much, if any in Advance after the Arrival of the Hannah, and the Bill he has drawn.

[Annapolis] May 1st 1776.