Mr. Furlong

Your Letter of yesterday was handed me by M^r: Gregg¹—ln answer to which I tell you that (my orders of the 17^th: Sep^r: last which are placarded on the bulk head in common view) those orders have met with the approbation of the Navy Board, and I expect that you and every other Officer whose duty it is to keep Journals will comply with them.—

The misfortune has been that yourself, and many others of the late Officers of the Boston fancied yourselves totally independent of me.—consequently not ac­countable—The course of your whole conduct the last Cruise and since our arrival, proves this, but I am not that block head of yesterday you vainly immagine,—I will have you and all Men know that as Officers under my Command you are account­able to me for your Conduct and without my approbation no Man has a right to Wages or Prize Money—as to paying the Wages to Officers and Men—I have done it too Long for mine own advantage—Whenever The Hon^ble Congress appoints a pay Office it will take a great deal of trouble off my hands— 

As to your reference to the 9^th. Article of the Masters Instructions, it touches me not, the order I gave the 17^th. I had a right to give, and none but fools would have re­ fused to comply with them—Yours

Boston 7^th Octo^r 1777—