[Extract]
Dear Sir, —
By Capt. Manly [John Manley] I sent you the Warrants for the Officers. I now Inclose you the Commissions for the Officers of the Ships and of Marines. I have not fill'd in the names, you will therefore please to fill in the Names of such as have been already appointed, but in case they Decline you will fill them with such as you and the Captains and Mr. Agent [John] Bradford shall Judge proper, as it will not answer to Delay. You will send me a List of all the Officers to these Ships as soon as compleat.2
Inclos'd are Capt. Manly's orders open for your perusal, do hurry them on as fast as possible. Inclosed you have some new regulations respecting Prizes. . . .
If any thing else be needful for the Ships, let me know by Express, if no other way, but I think I have sent you every thing necessary.
1. Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society (Boston, 1927), LX, 115-16.
2. Continental frigates Boston and Hancock outfitting in Boston harbor.
