We are orderd by Congress to signify to you, that you are with the Hornet & Wasp under your Command to take under your Convoy such Vessels as are ready for the Sea as shall be committed to your Care by the Comee. of Safety at Maryland, & see them safe through the Capes of Virginia & without a Moments Loss of Time after this Service is done you are to go to the Capes of Delaware & proceed upwards till you join the Fleet, or in Case of its having Sailed receive such Orders as may be left for you by Esek Hopkins Esqr. Commander in Chief of the Fleet of the United Colonies-wch. Orders you are to Obey(1).
Stephen Hopkins Silas Deane
Christr. Gadsden Joseph Hewes
1 Although the Naval Committee had previously planned to have Stone drop down from Baltimore to harrass Dunmore's forces in Chesapeake Bay and to join Esek Hopkins' fleet when it arrived off Virginia, it is clear that by January 10 Dunmore was no longer the primary objective of the Continental Navy and that the Hornet and Wasp were now expected to participate in operations elsewhere. This change in Stone's orders was the result of a letter of January 5 to Congress from the Maryland Council conveying recent intelligence on the strength of British naval forces in the Chesapeake and expressing concern for the safety of several vessels