by J. P. J. Captain of the American .Ship of War the Alfred Senior Officer in the Original Fleet and Commander of the Present' Squadron off the Coast of Newfoundland.
Sir
You are hereby Appointed Commander of our prize the Ship Melish And as she is now Manned Equiped, and Armed for War you are to endeavour to keep Company with me and Observe and Obey all Signals made on board here. You receive herewith a copy of Signals for your government — Should we fall in with any of the Eneniys ships ofWar you are directed to give us all possible Assistance — and you are to follow all future directions which you may receive from me.
Should You Unfortunately be Seperated from the Squadron You are to proceed with. all possible dispatch for the most convenient Port within the United States of America — I would Advise you to Proceed thro' Nantucket Shoals to Rhode Island. — Your careful. Attention to these things will secure my regard —
Given on board the Ship Alfred
November 15th 1776
To Philip Brown Esqr
Commander of the Ship Mellish
By Order of the Senior Officer
James Hogan Secretary.
