Letter from Captain Wickes to the Secret Committee: He will get out and proceed on his intended cruise, on the first opportunity

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On board the Reprisal, June 16, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I received your orders and instructions by Mr˙Bingham, the 13th instant, but the shallop with the provisions did not arrive till this day. We have now got all the provision on board, both from theWasp and shallop. You may depend on my best endeavours in your service to prosecute this voyage with the most expedition and advantage in my power. My people, all but two, are in good health, and the officers are well satisfied with this cruise, hoping thereby to render their country an essential service, as well as themselves. There is now one two-decker, two frigates, one twenty-gun ship, and a sloop of war lying inOld Kiln Road, and we are waiting an opportunity to get out by them with impatience; so you may depend upon our embracing the first favourable opportunity of getting out and proceeding on our intended cruise.

From, gentlemen, your most obliged humble servant,
LAMBERT WICKES.

To the Honourable Committee of Secret Correspondence,
Philadelphia.