Sir

We have received your letter of the 6th & approve your Proceedings as therein reported & as you seem very desirous to make a Cruise, we have this day agreed to give up the Direction of the ship Reprisal to a Committee of Congress, stiled the Committee of secret Correspondence; ー The members are Benj Harrison, Benj Franklin, John Jay, John Dickinson, Thos Johnston & Robert Morris Esqs any three of them are a querum This Committee are directed to despatch one of our cruizers to the West Indies & we understand they have already given the needfull Orders to Capt Wm Hallock of the sloop Hornet, from whom we have just received Advice that said Sloop is leaky & unfit to proceed on that Voyage ー for this Reason your Ship is assigned for that Service & you are hereby directed to receive from Capt Hallock the Letters & Orders of said Committee; Consider them as directed to Yourself & obey them in every particular ー We hope this voyage will afford you an opportunity of rendering essential Service to your Country & that you will bring us back a Parcel of fine Seamen & a Number of good prizes.

A supply of stores will be sent you by the Wasp and we are sir [&c.]