Philadelphia Apl. 5th 1777
Gentlemen
We have ordered the Frigates in the State of Rhode-Island &c out on a Cruise, and as it seems they are not fully manned, We earnestly request your Assistance that they may be manned with the utmost Expedition. If they cannot be fully and expeditiously manned in your State, We desire that you would order Draughts to be made from the Militia of Men best acquainted with the Sea to assist in carrying them to Boston where they may avoid a Blockade and procure Seamen, such of the Soldiers who may be put on board the Frigates to be discharged, that they may return and join their respective Companies, as may not chuse to inlist in the Sea Service.1
We have addressed ourselves to you, Gentlemen, on a Supposition that you are invested with Powers sufficient to enable you to comply with our Request if it should be necessary to draught from the Militia, and that the Genl. Assembly may not be sitting when this reaches you. If the Assembly should be sitting when you receive this, and you are incompetent to the
Business, please to lay this Letter before them, otherwise We hope that you will execute it, for by doing it you will render an essential Service to the common Cause and greatly oblige, Gentn.,
your most obedt. humble Servants,
John HancockWilliam Ellery
Robt MorrisAbra. Clark
Wm. WhippleTho Burke
Richard Henry Lee
Receiver’s copy, Rhode Island State Archives. Written by Ellery and signed by Ellery, Burke, Clark, Hancock, Lee, Morris, and Whipple.
1 See Marine Committee to Certain Naval Officers, April 4, 1777. In May 1777 the Rhode Island Assembly authorized Capt. John B. Hopkins, commander of the Warren to impress "a sufficient number of seamen, transient, foreign persons." John R. Bartlett, ed., Records of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations in New England, vols. 8 - 10 (Providence: Cooke, Jackson, & Co., 1856 - 65), 8:230.