The Marine Committee reported to Congress, that there are several very fine prize ships in the state of Massachusetts Bay, very suitable for the service of the Continent, and which might be fitted out at a small expence; and recommended to Congress, that they should be empowered to purchase three of said ships for the purpose aforesaid; and also recommended to the notice of Congress, Captain Daniel Waters, and Captain Samuel Tucker, who were early employed by General Washington in cruising vessels, and were very successful, and are strongly recommended by the General and others, are, in their opinion, proper to be appointed to the command of two of them: Whereupon,

Resolved, That the Marine Committee be empowered to give directions to the agents to purchase three ships, and order them immediately to be armed and fitted out for the service of the United States, to be under the direction of the Marine Committee.

Resolved, That Daniel Waters and Samuel Tucker be appointed captains in the navy of the United States, and that they have the command of two of the ships ordered to be purchased;² and that the command of the other ship be given to Captain John Paul Jones, until better provision can be made for him.