Capt Alexander Wilson,
Sir,

You being Master of our Ship Due de Chartres, your orders are to proceed direct for Charlestown South Carolina where you will dispose of your Rum & Sugar to the best Advantage, and purchase a full Load of Rice, with the Addition of such light [illegible] skins, and Bees Wax as your Neat Sales will admit. —

When you are loaded, you are to proceed for Nantes in the Kingdom of France, deliver your Letters to Messrs Jacques Gruel & Company Merchants there, to whom you are consign'd & follow their orders for your further proceedings. —

As your Vessel is to be sold, you with your Men, are [to] take your passage home, in the first Vessel that Messrs J Gruel & Compy may send this Way, but should any of your Men be desirous of being discharg'd in France, you may pay them off, with the Addition of one Months advance wages, should they insist upon it. —

What Money you may want in France, for the payment of your Men or other Disbursments Messrs Gruel & Co will supply, but it is recommended to you to be as frugal as possible.

Upon your Arrival in Charlestown, you will deliver the Letter you have herewith given you to Messrs Alexander Gillon & Compy Merchts there, whose advice and assistance you will avail yourself of, should it be necessary. ² — You will advise the Board by the Post of your Arrival and proceedings in Carolina, and will observe to forward by the same Conveyance, Duplicates of your Invoice, & Bills of Lading for France —

The Board consent to allow you five pr Cent on the Sales and two & a half pr Ct on the purchase of your Cargo in Carolina, Eight Pounds L. M. pr Month, eight Tons Priviledge out, and two Tons home.

As the season is far advanc'd we would recommend to you the greatest Dispatch, & Heartily wish you a good Voyage. —

By order of the Board,

P. S. Mr Pliame a Gentleman from France who it is probable you will see in Charlestown, is intitled by Agreement with the Board to ship in your Vessel, Freight free, Six pr Cent on your Cargo, or six Teirces of Rice upon each Hundred, you are therefore to receive the same, & sign Bills of Lading accordingly.

[Endorsed] Boston Jany 29th 1777 — I acknowledge the above to be a true Copy of the orders I have receiv'd from the Honorable Board of War, & promise to obey the same. Alex^r Wilson