In Council of Safety.

Sir,

[Philadelphia] December 22d, 1776.

You are hereby directed to order four of the armed Boats, that have the best accommodations to Bristol; when they arrive there, they are to receive further Orders from the Commanding Officer of that place. If the Crew are not provided with Blankets and other necessaries for that service, by applying to this Council they shall be supplied, and the Commissary is to supply the Crews with double allowance of Rum while they remain at that place. Care must be taken that the Boats be returned when they can no longer continue safe, on account of the Weather.