Navy Board Eastern Department Boston May 6. 1778
Sr.
We have given Orders to Capt Nicholson1 to proceed with the Dean Frigate2 Under his Command to this port as soon as she can be properly repaired which I hope will be soon least the Enemy may get Intelligence of & take Measures to Intercept her We have Ordered him to Consult with you & to do what you think most proper with the Cloathing if you find it in Such a Situation as to require immediate Opening & Airing you will please to receive it or so much of it as you find in that State in your Stores and take the proper care of it if it will Admit of coming up without damage the sooner it can be done the better & will be handled with more ease & Security now than when opened & the only question will be whether it shall remain on board to come up with the Ship or be sent up in Coasters which is left intirely to your Judgment After Contemplating the hazzard from the Enemy & other Circumstances the other Articles I think may remain in the Ship without any doubt—
We Inclose a Warrant on your Loan office for Thirty thousand dollars Agreeable to your desire you will please to receive the money as soon as possible carry Twelve Thousand dollars of them to our Credit which you will Send us a receipt for the remainder remit us as soon as received ⅌ some safe oppertunity we wish you to Settle Capt. Roaches3 accot. allowing him wages to this time it would be very Agreeable to us if the passengers with Capt. Nicholson would Continue in the Ship till her Arrival in this port when we shall think them Intitled to a reasonable reward for their Services—We are with great Esteem [&c.]
J Warren John Deshon
L, Private Collection, Capt. J. G. M. Stone (Annapolis, Md., 1959). Addressed at foot: “Honble: John Langdon Esqr." Docketed: “Letter from the/Honble Navy/Board East Dept/May 6h 1778—."
1. Capt. Samuel Nicholson, Continental Navy.
2. Continental Navy frigate Deane.
3. Capt. John Roche, Continental Navy.