Philadelphia Octor 3d 1776
[Copy]
Sir We deliver you herewith Copies of the Letters & Credentials you had from us when you sailed on your late unfortunate voyage, the originals whereof we understand you destroyed on being taken by the Orpheus Man of War.We have since that time taken other measures for procuring Arms and Ammunition which probably may have succeeded, therefore we request you will lay those Copies and this Letter before Silas Deane esqr at Paris and follow such advice and directions as he may give respecting Arms and ammunition but with respect to the Cutters we approve much of that Plan and wish it to be executed and even enlarged. We therefore propose that you should consult with Mr Deane and Mr [Thomas] Morris on this subject, and if you find it will be in your power to procure Seamen and obtain liberty to Arm and fit out vessels in France, Spain, or Holland that you should if possible buy a Frigate of 20 to 40 Guns, have her compleatly fitted armed and manned putting in a gentleman of unexceptionable good character being also an able Seaman to command her for which purpose we give you herewith a blank Commission to be filled up with his and the Ships name which may be the Surprize. The Captain and you may appoint the other Officers necessary for this Ship giving to each a Certificate shewing his Station. When the Ship is compleated you must give Orders to the Captain signed by Mr Deane to cruize in the Channel against the enemies of the United States of America, making Prize of all British property as he can meet with. He may send his prizes into such Ports in France as may be most convenient and you will there demand protection for them, or rather let Mr Deane demand this and also liberty to make sale of such goods as he, Mr Morris and yourself may think best to sell there, direct the Captain to take out any drygoods he finds on board his Prizes into his Own Ship, and when by this means he has got a considerable quantity on board, let him come away for this Coast, and get into the first place of safety he can in the United States of America. The Captain must before he goes give bond duly to Observe all the Rules and Regulations of Congress and herewith we deliver you a blank bond, with a book of those Rules and a List of the Continental agents. Any Prize that he sends into France you must send forward from thence to some of these States, unless Mr Deane Mr Morris & yourself agree it is more for the Public good to sell in France and if you sell them there apply the Neat proceeds to pay the Debts you Contract in this business. Besides this Ship we approve also of the Two Cutters as mentioned in our former Letters. You may Arm fit and Man them and dispatch them hither soon as possible, either with Arms, Ammunition, or such other goods as Mr Deane and Mr Morris may recommend or provide. We deliver you Commissions &c. for these Vessels also, and recommend you to be very attentive to the choice of Captains; they should all be good Seamen Men of good character and Principles, strongly attached to this Country and its cause and prefer Americans thus deserving to any other Country. If such Americans are not to be found, seek for good men of other Countries that have been here or have connections amongst us; we know that there are many such in Europe that would be glad of the employ. This Ship must make but a Short Cruize in the Channel and a Short one will do the business for she will daily meet Prizes, but if She is long there they will have men of War in quest of her. We hope you'l meet with some fine fast sailing ship for this purpose, and be able to purchase & fit her on reasonable Terms. We shall desire Mr Deane &Mr Morris to join you in the necessary assurances to those you deal with of being faithfully reimbursed & we again repeat that we shall make remittances in the produce of this Country for that purpose.
We will also make you a proper Compensation for your trouble and services hereafter when they can be better ascertained therefore wishing you success we remain Sir [&c.]
P.S. It is absolutely necessary that you observe the utmost Secrecy in all this business and make use of every Cloak or Cover you can think of to hide the real design