Messrs James Craig, James Wharton
Nathaniel Falkner & William Davis } Philadelphia 9 Janury 1776

Gentlemen The Honourable Continental Congress have thought proper to Order Four Frigates to be built in this Port, and Authorized us to Act as Commissioners for executing this Business with powers to do every thing necessary for Compleating it ー We find this will be a work of such Magnitude & Importance, that to have it well, and Expeditiously done it will be necessary to divide it into different department, One of which you have been good enough to undertake, And we hereby Authorize and impower you to make Estimates of the Quantitys of Cordage, Ship Chandlery and other Stores and necessarys that will be requird to fit compleatly Two Ships 700 Tons Burthen as Frigates mounting 32 Guns, 26 of 12 Pounders and Six of Six pounders ー

One Ship of 650 Tons as a Frigate of 28 Guns whereof 26 of 12 pounders and 2 of 6 pounders, and one Ship of Tons as a Frigate mounting 24 Guns 9 pounders, you are to Estimate and fix the proper Sizes and dimensions of all Cables, Blocks, Gun Carriages, Rammers, Spunges, Ladles, Cartridge and Cartridge Boxes, Scales, Weights, Scale Beams, Harness Tubs Mess Tubs, and other needfull for said Ships Outfits, with full power and Authority to purchase the same ー You are Authorized to make such reasonable Contracts as you shall Judge proper with any person or persons for supplying any of the Articles wanted; you will be careful that every thing procured is of the best of its Kind ー and the prices reasonable as can be obtain'd for ready Money ー

You will hire a proper Store or Stores wherein to deposit the sundry goods and Articles you buy, also such proper Clerk, as you can safely trust with the care thereof ー You will cause a regular Account to be kept of every thing you buy, or Cause to be bought, for which you and your Clerks are accountable, and you are to deliver the Articles procured, in such proper quantitys and proportions as may be required for each Ship, to such persons or Officers as we may hereafter direct, keeping an Account for each Ship, and charging the Respectively with the Quantitys, Qualitys and at the proper prices of every Article so delivered for their use ー

You are to collect all Bills of Parcells, Accounts and Contracts by you made; and send them, as often as Necessary to Messrs Benjn Fuller, Thomas Fitzsimmons, Isaac Hazlehurst & Clement Biddle, who are a Committee for examining and passing all Accounts relative to these Ships, with power to Correct Errors, point out Charges, remark on high prics &c. ー The Accounts & Contracts will be return'd to us with the Committees remarks, and we shall immediately Issue drft [on] the Treasurer for Payment of all just and reasonable demands

All reasonable expences will be allowed your Board and such other reasonable Compensation for your time and trouble as may hereafter he agreed on. ー

You can at all times and in all Cases when necessary have our advice, and We shall from time to time give such fu[rt]her instruction[s, as] to us may appear Necessary. ー

We on our part accepted the trust reposed in us with the sole view of serving our distressed Country and promoting its true Interest, an Ardent desire to answer these Ends prompts us to recommend your utmost exertions in the execution of your department, so that Pennsylvania may produce four Ships, superior in Quality of less cost & with more expedition than the Neighbourg Colonies engaged in the same Business. ー We are Gentlemen [&c.]

Sign'd by

[Endorsed] Rob^t Morris Esqr & Others Instructions