Sir
On Receipt of this you are to get what things is absolutely Necessary Onboard Immediately, & what hands is ready, and come directly down here ー
Capt [Philip] Brown will come down with you for a Pilot here is a small Sloop now off the harbour of four Carriage 12 Swivel Guns and about 30 hands ー if you have not hands enough I shall put as many On board here as is Sufficient I am [&c.]
Esek Hopkins
New Port June 11, 1776
To Jno P. Jones Esqr Commr of the Sloop Providence
1. Papers CC (Letters of John Hancock, and Miscellaneous Papers), 58, 151, NA.