Philada July 12th 1776
Sir
The Marine Committee having considered how necessary your attendance is in the Yard taking care of the materials, and the Frigate of which you are Clerk;2 think proper to request that you will not go on the proposed expedition to the Jerseys, but that you remain to do your very necessary business
You may show this to your Commanding officer, to whom, it is hoped, it will prove a satisfactory reason for your stay 3 We are sir [&c.]
[Endorsed] Agreed in Congress John Hancock Prest
1. American Ms., 803, 229, HSP.
2. The frigate Randolph.
3. Ashmead was a member of Captain Joseph Cowperthwait's company of Quaker Light Infantry.
