Baltimore February 9th 1777
(Circular)
Sir You will convoy the Transport Vessels with the Troops across the Bay to such place on the Eastern Shore as the Commander of the Troops shall direct. That being done you will proceed down the Bay — reconnoitre the enemies Ships, and use all possible dilligence to prevent their Tenders and Barges from getting supplies of any kind from the Shores, either of Maryland or Virginia, You will do good service by giving notice of their danger to any inward bound Vessels coming up the Bay and fail not to take or destroy any of the enemies Tenders that may fall in your way. You are to act in Freindly conjunction with the Land Troops and with the Other armed Vessels that accompanies the Troops having always in veiw the great purpose of preventing the enemies ships to taking any thing off from the Land or giving any assistance to the Tories you will inform this bourd of your proceedings by every opportunity. We are sir [&c.]
J Hancock Presdt
To Captain James Campbell of the schooner Enterprize Captain William Rogers of the Sloop Montgomery.2
1. Marine Committee Letter Book, NA.
2. Enterprize, a Maryland privateer, and Montgomery, owned by New York state, had been pressed into Continental service to support the army in suppressing Tory troubles in Somerset and Worcester counties on Maryland's Eastern Shore.
