Captn John Mercier
Sir/

The Commissioners of the Navy having Received directions from his Excellency the President to send the Sloop Beaufort with a Load of Rice to One of the French Islands, they desire to know if it will be agreeable to you to go in her as Captain and Transact the Business, for which the usual Commission will be allowed, — If you Accept of the Offer, You'll please purchase a Load of Good new Rice at Beaufort, & draw on the Commissioner of the Navy for Amount (the Current price in Charles Town is 50/ P 100 wt) and as soon as your Vessel is Loaded and fit for sea, You are to proceed with all possible disp[atch] to Cape Francois, or Some Harbour in Hispaniola, there dispose ofthe Cargo of Rice at the highest price you can obtain, and purchase as much Rum as you Can conveniently stow, if any money Remains after paying for the Rum and the Necessary Charges of the Vessell, you are to Invest it in good Osnabrugs or Sail Duck, and Proceed with all possible dispatch to Chas Town, or the First Convenient Inlet in the State of South Carolina, if any provissions or Other Stores are wanted that Cannot be got in Beaufort, Advise the Commissioners as Early as possible that they may be sent from Charles Town, or if it should not suit you to proceed on this Voyage, pray make all possible haste in getting the Sloop fitted and Loaded for the sea, and proceed with her to Charles Town
I am Sir [&c.]