Sir

As I learn from you, that the Seamen who have enter'd for the Ranger for One Cruize expect to receive an Advance of Forty dollars and that the Landsmen expect to receive an Advance of Twenty dollars as mentioned, in the hand Bills, ancl as I would by no means deceive any Man, who has Enter'd or may Enter to serve under my Command, it is proper that you should inform them, that at the time when Congress agreed to that Advance, there was no intention of Entering Men except for three Years, during the War, or One year at least.—

Yet as I consider myself under an Obligation to those Men, who have so Cheerfully entered, it being a proof of their good Opinion of me, I would at my own risque give them Orders on the Agent here, for the above Ad­ vance or for such part of it as they may find really necessary, payable at the time of their departure from this Continent under my command for which they are to be accountable to me at Settlement. I wish to see every person about me happy and contented but upon enquirey I am convinced that this would be contrary to the Rules of Congress and therefore hurtful to the Service.

I will however besides the Bounty give an Order on the Agent or pay­ master of the Navy for the punctual payment of half the Monthly wages to every person Under my Command who may leave Wives or Attornies be­ hind them to receive it in their absence as it afterwards becomes due provided they enter for the Term of Twelve Months. — Otherwise I am Authorized to Advance no more than one Months pay besides Slops to per­ sons who enter only for one Cruise, — I wish to See every person About me happy and Contented — and will do every thing in my power to make them So — the conditions of the hand Bills will be strictly complied with 8c I am Sir, [&c.]