Philada April 8th 1776
Sir
We received your Letter by Mr Scott2 and approve of your Conduct in Sending in the St Croix Sloop. altho She does not prove to be aprize, yet as the circumstances attending her appeared Suspicious you did right.
Shoud this be delivered to you by Capt [William] Hallock at or about cape May he will also put on board your Lieutt of Marines and some men, If he does not see you he will land them at Cape May, and as Lieut Scott takes A Copy of it to Egg harbour, you will by this means learn that you will have either to take them of[f] from the Cape or him from Egg harbour. We wish Capt Hallack may fall in with you before he parts with Mr Deane on board the Sloop Betsey Capt John Tucker and in that case, We desire that you will take that Sloop under your Convoy and see her Two, three or four days Run of[f] the Coast, until you and Mr Deane Shall think her out of danger of the Enemies Tenders and Cutters. Wishing you Success
1. Commodore John Barry Papers. NYHS,
2. Robert Scott, "discharged 19th Septr. 1776", A List of the Commisioned Officers who served in the Navy of the United States in the late War, March 18, 1794, Papers CC, Misc. Naval, NA.
