March 29th 1777
Sir1
Herewith you will receive Several Packets for Wm. Bingham Esqr. at Martinico, they are of great consequence and must not on any account fall into the Hands of the enemy, therefore have them slung ready for Sinking in case of danger. Should you fall in with the Islands so as to make it convenient for landing these Letters at Martinico send an officer on shore with them. He must deliver them himself and bring Mr Binghams receipt for them. If you cannot land them going to St. Eustatia, you must either send them from thence to Martinico by one of your officers or some person Mr. Curson can depend upon who must go passenger in a Dutch or French Vessel & bring you back a receipt, or else you must after landing the Indico at St Eustatia run over with the Sachem and deliver them yourself.2
I am, Sir, Your obed. servant per Order
Robt Morris V.P.
Letter book, Marine Committee Letter Book, Marine Committee Miscellaneous Papers, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.
1 Robinson was captain of the Continental sloop Sachem.
2 On this day the Marine Committee wrote another letter over Morris’ signature to William Bingham, Congress’ agent in Martinique: "The several Packets sent herewith were intended to be conveyed to you by the Randolph Frigate. They were sent out to sea after him by a small continental sloop which has been cruizing in the proper station for her since the Middle of Feby.
"But it seems the Randolph carried away one of her Masts soon after she left this Port and put into Charles Town to refit, therefore I send these down after the Sachem, Capt. Robinson, bound for St. Eustatia from whence he must carefully forward them to you." Ibid., fol. 64; and Paullin, Marine Committee Letters, 1:90.