Sir

I received yours of the 10th and 11th Instant and observe the Contents — by the bearer you will have the foot of each Mans Account in the Sloop Providence untill Capt [John] Hazard left her — and your Accounts since Mr [Samuel] Lyon ² has not Enter'd in the Books because he. did not understand some part of the rough Memorandums you left with him —

As to the Columbus's Men you will [giveJ them your Accounts against them, and the time they Served onboard the Alfred, and send them here to Settle the remainder of their Accounts as the Columbus's Articles and Books are here —

You may tell your prisoner of the Law ³ that I have Sent forward his first Letters, and shall do the same by the last to Lord Piercy the first Opportunity — If he or you will give me an Account of what he has had retum'd of his property, and what more he Claims, if it is not more than I think I can answer I will give Orders that they may be restored to him but without that knowledge I can give no Sensible determination in the Matter —

You will pay or give Orders on Mr Bradford for the ballances of the Wages of any Men you may discharge, and not draw any more Orders upon me who have no Money of the Continents in.my hands and I expect that every Officer will do the duty Order'd him by Congress —

Captn [Joseph] Olney comes down to take Charge of the Cabot to which Vessel he is appointed — and the bearer Capt Elisha Hinman comes down to take Charge of the Alfred for which Ship he has a Commission from Congress for, and has this day applied to me for an Order to take Command of the Ship he was appointed to — and as I have recd no directions from the hon Marine Board to Contradict this Commission I do not think I have any Power to displace him — If you choose to return to the Sloop Providence which Vessel your Commission is for She is now in good Order and you may return to her as soon as you please or any other Vessel that is in my power to give you —

You will Settle with as many Men whose time is expird as you can and Settle the remainder of the Sloop Providences Books up while you Commanded her — and the Alfreds from the time Captain Saltonstall left her, the Copy of his Books is in your Clerks hands if the Months pay Advanc'd which they all received in Philadelphia [is not charged] you will take Care to Charge it — and such Men as were Shipp'd in Philadelphia who you think are likely to have drawn Wages of Mr [James] Read the paymaster, it will be best for you to give them Orders on him for the ballances of their Accounts, so that it may be in his power to Stop whatever they may have had I am sir [&c.]

P S. You will take an Inventory of the Stores and provisions ,onboard the Alfred — and Capt. Hinmans receipt for the Same which you will lodge with Mr Bradford —

herewith you have an Account of Sundries advancd some of your Men from Mr [John] Manley and Capt [Hoysteed] Hacker —

[Endorsed by Jones] Orders from Commr Hopkins — for the Alfred dated on Board the Warren Jany 14th 1777 — recd at Boston.