"I have never received a Farthing of Prize Money either for Artillery Ammunition or Vessels"

Abraham Whipple was an American naval officer and privateer during the Revolutionary War. This quote is from a letter he wrote in 1781 to the Continental Congress. In the letter, Whipple is revealing his frustration at not having gotten any prize money for his service. He mentions that he has actually not gotten any cash for either the artillery ammo or vessels he has actually caught. This recommends that Whipple was anticipating to receive some type of compensation for his service, but has actually not received anything. This might be due to a lack of funds or an absence of recognition for his efforts. It is possible that Whipple felt that his service was not being correctly acknowledged or rewarded. This quote is a testimony to the dedication and commitment of Whipple and other marine officers during the Revolutionary War, who typically went unrecognized for their efforts.