Gentlemen of the General Assembly.
Capt Cook of the Defence informs me that a good deal of Uneasiness prevailed amongst his Officers and Men on Account of the Distribution of prize Money they having as they alledged had Encouragement to expect that the Officers & Men would share one half of the Captures and that now he is fitted in every Thing except a few Sailers for another Cruise the Men are not satisfied with being upon Terms less advantageous than those who are in the Continental Service I have promised to lay this Matter before you and to request your Consideration of it.
The armed Sloop Molly belonging to this State being a prime Sailer has made several Voyages but she is navigated at such a great Expence that she can make no profit the Council and myself think it advisable to fit her out as a Cruiser and the Row Galley or Xebeck built by Mr Steward now ready to launch might probably get manned with the same View and be advantageous to the public the scarcity of Men and the high Wages given will we are apprehensive disable us from manning nearly the Number of Galleys designed to be fitted out for Service in the Bay — If you should resolve to have these Vessels employed as Cruisers I should be glad that as little Time as possible may be lost.
Th Johnson
[Annapolis] 19 June 1777.
1. Red Books, XVIII, 9, Md. Arch.
