By the Committee appointed by the General Assembly of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations to act during the Recess of the General Assembly.
Instructions to be observed by Captain Abraham Whipple ー Commander of the Sloop Katy in the Service of the said Colony.
You are to embrace the First suitable Wind and Weather and proceed immediately with the said Sloop, and the Officers and Men to her belonging under your Command, off Sandy-Hook and there cruize Fourteen Days for the Packet expected from England at New-York with the Ministerial Dispatches, the Mail &c During the Cruize off Sandy-Hook you are to speak with no Vessel unless it appears probable to you that she is the Packet. ー If you are so fortunate as to meet her you are to take all the Letters out of her, land them at South-Hampton and send them by Express to the Deputy Governor in this Town. ー You are also to take out of her all the Arms Ammunition and warlike Stores she may have on board, and light Sails if you shall have Occasion for them for the said Sloop's Use, and then dismiss the said Packet to pursue her Voyage. ー In Case she makes any Resistance you are to take her by Force.
After taking the Packet, or the Expiration of the said Fourteen Days, you are immediately to proceed to the Island of Bermuda to possess yourself of a Quantity of Powder in a Magazine upon the said Island, and to take the same on board your said Sloop, and immediately return therewith. ー In conducting this Enterprize every Thing is submitted to your Judgment & Discretion with Respect to the most prudent Measures to be taken to become Masters of the Powder. We only recommend to you to effect it, if possible, without desiring any other Assistance from the Inhabitants than being piloted in and having a Guide to the Magazine; and of Course you will make no Use of General Washington's Address to the Inhabitants unless it be absolutely necessary.
At the Request of the Committee I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal at Providence this Eleventh Day of September A.D. 1775.
Providence September 12th 1775.
I acknowledge the above to be a true Copy of the Instructions given me by the Committee aforesaid for my Conduct as Commander of the Sloop Katy
Abraham Whipple
