Several of the Captains have complained by letters to the A[dmiralty], that their respective ships were too weakly manned to proceed to sea, which has been taken no notice of; in consequence of which they have had private surveys, and attestations signed by several officers of the exact state of their complements, in order to exculpate themselves, in case of accidents that may arise from the scandalous manner in which they have been sent to sea.
1. New York Packet, May 16, 1776.