Sir ー As you intimated that you could conveniently assist the smaller armed vessels with forty good men from on board the ship Prosper; and as we judge it to be very necessary for the public service immediately to equip these vessels for cruizing on the coast, we desire you will order thirty such men on board the brigantine Comet, to obey the orders of Capt. [Joseph] Turpin and his officers; and ten men on board the scooner Defence, to obey the orders of Capt [Simon] Tufts and his officers.

By order of the Council of Safety

[Charleston] 26th Feb., 1776.