Navy Board
The Board Met According to Adjournment—

Present Edward Blake Esq^r. first Commissioner
Geo Abt. Hall, Tho^s Savage, Ed^w Darrell Esq^rs—

Captains Hall,¹ Sullivan,² Morgan,³ & Anthony⁴ attended the Board, and reported that they Could not possibly be ready as they could wish, to proceed to Sea on the Intended Expedition, until the next Spring Tides, as it is thought, the Men on board each Vessel, Ought to be stationed & Trained some Little time before they sail—

A Letter to M^r. John Stevenson

Navy Board 13^th. Janr^y 1778—

M^r: Stevenson Sir/

You'll please Order a Schooner to take⁵ on board the Gen^l Moultries Water now on Eveleighs Wharf and put it on board said Ship as Early as possible tomorrow, as She must Sail in a day or Two

I am Sir y^r. Hbl^e. Serv^t.
Edward Blake first Com^r:

A Letter to Captⁿ Nicholas Biddle Esq^r—

Navy Board 13^th Janr^y 1778—

Sir/

The Commissioners of the Navy Having been Informed by Captains Hall, Sullivan, Morgan, & Anthony, that they Cannot possibly get the Different Vessels under their Command properly fitted and Clear to proceed to sea as Early as Thursday next (the time they are Informed that you intend to Sail) and as the Success of the Intended Expedition greatly depends on the Vessels being well fitted, and the people properly Quartered, and regularly Exercised to their Duty in Case of Meeting the Enemy at their first going out of Port, and as the Success of the Expedition will probably be attended with very great Advantages to the Continent in General as well as this State in particular—The Commissioners think it would be imprudent to Order the Vessels to Sail before they are fitted & Mann'd and in Clear good Order to make a proper and Vigourous Attack, should they fall in with the Enemy soon after they got to Sea—They therefore request as a particular favour that you will not Sail with the Ship Randolph, before the next spring Tides by which time the Gen^l Moultrie, Notre Dame, Fair American, and Polly will Certainly be fitted, Mann'd, Clear, and ready to Sail in Company with you—By Order of the Board

I am Sir
Your Most Obed^t Hbl^e Serv^t
Edward Blake first Comm[^r]

To Nicholas Biddle Esqr— Commanding the Continental Frigate Randolph

An order was drawn on the Treasury in favr- of—Stephen Duvall for the Eagle Pilot Boats pay bill from the 4th. Octr. 1777 to the 4th Inst. being 3 Months

£468— —

Adjourned to next Thursday Evening 6 oClock—