Sir We have received your letter of the 7th instant p the Prize Sloop Edward which shall be immediately Libelled in the Court of Admiralty of this Colony, and when Condemned a fair Sale of valuation of the Vessel her Stores and Materials will be made. ー The share thereof belonging to you, the Officers and Crew shall be deposited in the hands of your Agents and in every respect the utmost Justice Shall be done to all concerned —

We Send down the Prize Master² and Men to little Egg Harbour where you propose to call for them, and our letter by Lieut. Robert Scott³ would inform you that Capt. Boys [Abraham Boyce]⁴ with four or five Marines went down to Cape May in the Schooner Wasp, where they were to land if you did not fall in with them consequently You will take them off. As the Men of Warr in Virginia, Delaware and New York will undoubtedly hear of you they will probably lay some plans to suprise or decoy you, but we dare say a continued vigilance will enable you to avoid the Snares and power of those who are too strong for you, as well as to send us some more of those that are not an over match for the Lexington. We repeat our approbation of your Conduct, and beg you may signify to your officers and Men that the Marine Committee of Congress highly applaud their Zeal and bravery. With the best wishes &c.