Sir

This Morning Your favour of the 18^th Curr^t was received at the Office M^r Warren sat out for home Yesterday about twelve a Clock noon, expecting M^r Deshon would have been here by this time who gave directions to Open Letters directed to the Board. Upon which I opened yours & M^r Deshons & find by yours that M Deshon is gone to Connecticutt, So that expect to be alone till the week after next for which I am very sorry as so many people are Continually coming about business which I have no Authority to Transact.

I find by looking over the Letters from the Hon^bIe. Marine Com^tee a paragraph in that of the 26^th. Oct^r. last¹ in the words following viz^t. "Cap^t M^cNeill² has Already Instructions where his Ship is to proceed viz^t. to France a form of like Instructions is herewith Inclosed to be by you given to the Ships at Providence." So that apprehend^g. you will think it Adviceable to give Capt^t. Whipple³ orders to go on a Cruise Inclose Copy of said Instructions & the Signals.⁴

The Order M^r Deshon mentions to be left behind I find was therefore now send it.

There is a report in Town and said to be Confirmed by the way of S^t. Eustatia that the Courts of France Spain and Holland have declared these States Free &Independent States and that M^r. Franklyn is admitted at the Court of France as their Embassador. I wish it may be true. I have the honour to be [&c.]

P.S. It is said that the King of Prussia has fitted out three Ships & has Sent to England to Inform them that they were bound to these States & if they molested them he would Send an Army to Hanover.