Portsmouth July 21st 1777.
Gentlemen
Inclosed I send a Copy of my last of the 17th Current from hence. — several officers have been Appointed since that time and I have reason to think that the Compliment will soon be completed both with respect to Officers and Men —
When I took Command of the Ranger she was scarcely half Rigged — and the workmen are now, and will be for some time necessarily Employed Colo Whipple writes you pr this Post his sentiments respecting the Ranger — but, as I think the Express from hence must return as soon as I can be in Readiness I will hope for the honor of your further Orders tho' I will not wait on that account — It gives me pain to lay before you the inclosed Copy of a Complaint which was sent to me at Boston — it is too Delicate a Point for me to intermeddle with & would with More propriety come before the Marine Board at Boston were the Members impowered to Act. — there is a matter here which appears to be altogether Singular and Unprecedented in the Division of Prize Money when two Vessels of Unequal Force are Concerned in a Capture as was the Case with the Alfred and Sloop Providence: — the Providence claims an equal share with the Alfred — Whereas in all like Cases the division is made in proportion to the number of Men and weight of Metal — I am extremely Sorry to trouble you with what concerns myself as an Individual — but whatever your determination may be I shall rest entirely Satisfied. I find that twenty six Guns are provided for the Ranger — however I purpose to Carry no More than 18 Six Pounders as I think the Ship incapable of bearing a greater Number so as to be Servicable — the Guns are all three diameters of the Bore too Short which is a great loss indeed — I have the honor to be with great respect and esteem [&c.]
J.P.J.
NB. I have recd a letter from Co10 Tillinghast of Providence that an Appeal hath been brought Carried before Congress on account of the Brigantine Kingston Packet 2 taken last Septr at the island of Madame by the Sloop Providence Under my Command. —
I can only Say that the Prize in Question clearly Appeared by all her Papers to be entirely British Property — and to Assert the Contrary must be to acknowledge that some of the parties concerned have been guilty of Perjury.
[Endorsed] No 26 Portsmo 21st July 1777 The Honble The Marine Committee.
1. Papers CC (Letters of John Hancock, and Miscellaneous Papers, 1774-85), 58, 115-16, NA.
2. See Volumes 6 and 7.
