Navy Board

The Board Mett According to Adjournment

Present Edward Blake Esqr first Commissioner
George Smith, Josiah Smith, Thomas Corbett, Esqrs —

[Lett]er was wrote to Mr. Stephen Duvall

Mr Stephen Duvall Sir

Navy Board January 30th 1777 —

The Commissioners of the Navy direct that you do Receive on board the Eagle Pilot Boat Mr. John Knight and Mr. John Turner Two Branch Pilots, at all times when they may offer to Assist as Pilots for this Port, and at any time that Either of them may go to Pilot any Vessell or Vessells out from this or any other Harbour in this State, that you take them from on board such Vessells and that you see that they are Supplyed with Provisions & Accomadations as the Other Branch Pilots in the service of this State now are

Edward Blake first Commissr.

Capt. Thomas Pickerin[g] Attended the Board and the Commissioners gave him Orders to get the Briggt. Defence under his Command ready for Sea as soon as posible —

The following Attestation was given to David Bruce and 500 Copys Ordered to be Emeadeately printed in sheets Viz —

South Carolina.

Know all Men That I do hereby Certify that I Have Voluntarily Entered [into the service of the] Navy of the State aforesaid on board the and I do hereby engage to be true and faithful in the said Service for the Term of Months, to Commence from the undermentioned date, and at the Expiration thereof then to have my discharge from the said Service, and also do Engage to be bound to Obey all and Every Rule, Resolve, Order, and Regulation made or to be made by the Legislature of the state aforesaid or by the Commissioners of the Navy, and I do hereby acknowledge the Receipt of Pounds Current money as a Bounty for Entering into the service of the said State Witness my hand this [blank]

Agreed that the first Commissioner draw on the Treasury for payment of the following Accounts