No 61.

Sir Captain Nicholson be[in]g appointed to the Command of one of the Continental Frigates, renders it necessary that some Gentleman should be commissioned to fill the Department he acted in, on board the ship Defence. ー the subalterns, tho' otherwise very clever want experience, and as we have been advised by Captn Nicholson, you had sailed in a Vessel of Force, and probably would accept the Command of our ship, and as we were well satisfied of your zeal, activity, and prudence, we moved, and obtained Liberty from the Convention to propose it to you, to take the command of the Defence ー you will please to favor us with your answer immediately, and signify to us, whether you will accept it. We wish you to receive the Commission and leave it to yourself to determine if it will not be better to accept the command, which probably will have continuance, than of the Battalion, which will be disbanded the first of December. We are [&c.]

[Annapolis] 6th July 1776.