The Navy Board Eastern department, present their Respects to the Honble: Commissioners at the Court of France, & Inclose them the Gazettes to this date, by the Ship Providence, other Packages, they have by them for the Honble Commissioners, they don't think proper to risque thro' the dangerous Channel this Ship is obliged to pass—1
Boston April 9. 1778
L, PPAmP, Benjamin Franklin Papers, vol. 53, fol. 37. Docketed: “Card from the Navy Board/9 Ap. 1778."
1. Continental Navy frigate Providence, Capt. Abraham Whipple, commander, had been blockaded in the Providence River. To escape, it had to evade the British squadron based at Newport.
