Marine Committee of Congress Philadelphia August 4th 1778
Gentlemen
It is the request of this Committee that you will aid the Navy Board with the powers of Government in manning the Continental Ships of war that are at Boston, which have been ordered out to join the French Fleet under the command of Vice Admiral the Count D’Estaing and which Congress most earnestly wish may be speedily accomplished. We have the honor to be Gentlemen
Your very obedient Servants.
Office of Secretary of the CommonwealthMassachusetts Archives
Printed in James Curtis Ballagh, The Letters of Richard Henry Lee, Volume 1, 1762 - 1778, pp. 429 - 30.