Orders & Instructions for Mr Patrick Fletcher 3d Lt of the Continental Frigate Providence in the service of the United Amer. States. Commanded by Abraham Whipple Esqr—
Sir,
In consequence of Application from the Officers of the Ship under my Command and the Approbation of John D Schweighauser Esqr Con Agt Nantes you are desired to immediately proceed for St Martins the Isle of Rhé, and there take charge of the Prize Brigantine Lord Grosvenor and conduct the same by the good assistance of the Pilot, whom I send with you to Nantes, and the road of Paimbeuf as soon as possible winds and weather permitting
Trusting much to your knowledge and confiding in your zeal for the service I have only to Recommend that you keep as well in with the shore as possible to avoid being incommoded by Privaters or the Like Given under my hand Onboard Ship Providence this 15th day June 17781
A Whipple
LB, MiU-C, Abraham Whipple Papers. Addressed below signature: “To Mr Patrick Fletcher Lt.—.” Notation in margin: “A W/to/P.F.”
1. On the same day, Whipple wrote Prize Master Nicholas E. Gardner informing him that he had ordered Fletcher to bring Lord Grosvenor to Nantes where Whipple expected “to make more of her here than possibly can down there.” He also instructed Gardner to settle accounts, if correct, with the firm of Fairholme & Luther and asked him to assure the prize crew that Whipple was pleased with their behavior. He also wrote Fairholme & Luther to inform them of his decision to move the prize ship “In consequence of Orders this day recd from Paris.” Finally, he wrote Jean-Daniel Schweighauser informing him that he was moving the prize in accordance with Schweighauser’s wishes, asking him to arrange settlement of accounts with Fairholme & Luther, and requesting a supply of clothing for the “under Officers” of Providence. Whipple would arrange for clothing for the seamen when he visited Nantes on “Thursday,” 18 June. All three letters are in the Abraham Whipple Papers, Letter Book, MiU-C.
