[36] Edward Field, State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, II, 422. [37] Edward Field’s Esek Hopkins, 134, quotes from Drake’s Life of Knox. [38] Sands, Life and Correspondence of John Paul Jones, 32. [39] Journals of Continental Congress, December 22, 1775. [40] Force, American Archives, 4th, IV, 360; letter to Earl of Dartmouth, dated Maryland, Dec. 20, 1775. [41] Journals of Continental Congress, December 2, 1775, January 9 and 16, 1776. The Naval Committee spent $134,333 on the eight vessels which they fitted out.—Journals of Continental Congress, September 19, 1776. [42] Records and Papers of Continental Congress, 78, III, 239-40, orders of Commodore Hopkins, signed by four members of the Naval Committee. [43] Force, American Archives, 4th, V, 823. [44] Ford, Writings of Washington, III, 299-300, 319. Washington wrote on January 4, 1776, to Joseph Reed: “I fear your fleet has been so long in fitting, and the destination of it so well known, that the end will be defeated, if the vessels escape.” In July, 1776, Dunmore’s fleet consisted of more than forty vessels, most of which, however, were probably unarmed, being occupied by refugee Tories.—Maryland Archives, XII, 24-25. [45] Edward Field’s Esek Hopkins, 101; a copy of Hopkins’s orders is given. [46] Papers of Esek Hopkins, Rhode Island Historical Society, an invoice of captured articles. [47] Force, American Archives, 4th, V, 823, Hopkins to President of Congress, April, 1776, giving an account of the expedition. [48] W. L. Clowes, Royal Navy, IV, 3, 4; Connecticut Gazette, April 12, 1776. CHAPTER II THE FLEETS OF WASHINGTON AND ARNOLD[49]