[Extract]
Sir:

You will receive this by the hands of John Philip Merkle Esq, whom I beg leave to introduce to your attention. This Gentleman is to take passage in the Brig Dispatch, Captain Cleveland, _ which you have bought, fitted 04t and loaded by my order.

You will please to take Captain Cleveland's Bills of Lading for the entire Cargo on board the Dispatch, Consigned to the said John Philip Merkle Esq at her discharging Port in Europe, Freight Free, one of these Bills with a regular Invoice of said Cargo you will deliver to Mr. Merkle, and immediately send off the said Brig directing the Captain to obey the instructions he will receive from a Committee of Congress, by the hands of Mr. Merkle. This Gentleman must not pay anything for his passage nor should any other passengers go in the Brig unless by your desire being such persons as you can depend on their attachment to our Cause, and whom you desire to oblige, The Captain no doubt will assist Mr. Merkle in supplying Sea Stores, and he must treat him with respect and all the attention he can. A hint from you to that effect will no doubt have its force.

If the master, mates and seamen want more money advanced them in consequence of their long detention be pleased to comply therewith in areasonable degree. You will no doubt be enabled to pay for this vessel and Cargo out of the Continental Prize Money, but in order to keep all accounts regular you will please to transmit me an account of the Cost and Outfit of the Brig in one account, and draw one Bill on me for the exact amount. You'll send the Invoice, with the Cost and Charges of the Cargo Seperate and draw another Bill on me for that exact amount. The money for payment of both has been ready from the Moment I gave the Orders, and much Uneasiness it has given me to think that you should suffer inconvenience for the want of it. We must avoid such things in future.