[Gentle]men

We have had the Honour to bear [commis]sions in the Naval Service of this Province from the First Establishement of it ー But the Convuls'd State it Has been in Since the Engagements with the Enemys Ship In the River has, ever since that time determin'd us in Quitting that part of the Service of Our Country; and of going Into another ー Yet the same reason, which Occassion'd this Determination, (together with the desire of many Respecable Citizens) has been the cause of Our holding, untill a Convention Shou'd put the direction of the Naval affairs of this Province In a [new] Channel ー This being now done, This Board Will Permit us, to make the intended Resignation, and We do hereby Resign Our Commissions accordingly

We wou'd not have it believ'd from this resignation that we mean to abandon the cause of the Independant States of America no; it partly proceeds from a desire of Serving in a larger Sphere of Action, whereby we may Have an opportunity of rendering our Country some More essential Service, than we have any prospect of doing here We are Gentlemen [&c.]