Sir

I receiv'd yours of the 7th instant together with a list of the Mens Names who came out of the Eagle and also the Accounts, but as they were not sign'd by you nor your Clerk Mr Tillinghast has paid but one Mr [Na than] Tucker whose Account happen'd to be Signed — Should advise you to make New Accounts and receipts as P the Inclosed and Send them all up and write to Mr Tillinghast to pay them, as I shall go onboard the Warren to day, and not be up again Soon —

The Action brought against you by the Owners is Nonsuited, but expect they will bring another — One of the Owners told me, if you had not gone out of Town as you did they should have brought on Seven Actions in behalf of the People — I think the people ought to be Settled with Soon and am much Surprized you did not Settle with them that came down to you on purpose — I think it stands you in hand to see it done Soon — If you can Mann the Sloop ² she will be ready for you in about ten days, and can Send her where you may go Onboard her Safely as I think the Owners of the Eagle will give you what trouble is in their power —

I have had a Number of Complaints from the people who you have settled with and given Certificates for Prize Money, some on Mr [David] Sproat in Philadelphia and some on Mr Tillinghast — now I think you should give them Certificates that they are Intitled to Prize Money for such a time, in such a Vessel, and not direct them to any Man who has no prize Money in his hands — and I am fully of the Mind that it will be best for you or any other Officer in the Navy not to take or trouble themselves with any Prize Money more than their own and that you deliver an Account of what Men are Intitled to Prize Money in the Alfred and Providence to all the Agents you have had any Prizes sent in to, and let them pay the Money to the People — I am Sir [&c.]

[Endorsed by Jones] Providence 11th Feby 1777. — Orders recd at Boston from Commr Hopkins.