Sir.

We having been appointed by the Honble Continental Congress a Board to superintend all Naval, & Marine Affairs of the Continent, within the Four Eastern States, and being Impowered to conduct and manage the Business of such part of the Continental Navy as may be Built, bought, or fitted from Time to Time in the four New England States, & particularly directed to require all Captains, or Commanders of Continental Armed Vessels within our district to make returns to us; of the Officers, Sailors, & Marines on board their Vessels, and of the State, & condition of them, and Stores, and to transmit duplicates thereof to the Marine Committee.

Do hereby in consequence of the Authority given us, require you to make such a return of the Officers, Sailors, & Marines of the Ship under your Command and also a return of the State of your Ship, and Stores. You are also required, as soon as may be, to render an Accot of the expenditure of Stores on board your Ship to us, in our Office at Boston, with the Dimentions of your Ship, her Burthen, number of Guns, Tackle, Apparel, & Furniture, what you conceive to be necessary, and what Time will be requisite to fix, & equip her for a Cruise. We are [&c.]