In the Naval Committee
[Philadelphia]. Jany 5th 1776.
Orders and Directions for the Commander in Chief of the Fleet of the United Colonies
You are to take care that proper discipline good order and peace be preserved amongst all the Ships, and their companies, under your command
You are to direct the Several Captains to make out and deliver monthly or oftner, an exact return of the officers seamen and marines on board of each respecting vessel noteing their particular condition and circumstance ー also the quantity and quality of Provisions and stores of every kind together with the State of the respective ships ー which returns or copies of them you are to transmit to Congress, or a Committee by them appointed, to receive such returns, as often as opportunity offers
You are by every means in your power to keep up an exact correspondence with the Congress or Committee of Congress aforesaid, and with the Commander in chief of the Continental forces in America ー
As by your instructions you are impowered to equip Such Vessels as may fall into your power, and to appoint officers for Such Vessels ー As often as this shall happen you are by the very first opportunity to transmit to Congress or the Committee aforesaid, the burthen, force and manner of equipment of such Vessels, together with an exact list of such officers as you may appoint, in order that their appointment may be confirmed by Congress or others be appointed in their Stead ー
You will be particularly careful to give Such orders and instructions in writing, to the Officers under your command as the good of the Service may in every Case require ー to devise or adopt and give out to the Commanding Officer of every ship, such signals and other marks and distinctions as may be necessary for their direction ー
You are to take very particular care that all the men under your command be properly fed and taken care of when they are in health, as well as when they are sick or wounded You will also very carefully attend to all the just complaints which may be made by any of the People under your command and see that they are speedily and effectually redressed ー for on a careful attention to these important subjects the good of the service essentially depends ー
You are always to be exceedingly careful that your Arms, as well great as small, be kept in the very best condition for service and that all your cartridges, Powder shott and every accoutrement whatsoever belonging to them be kept in the most exact order: always fit for immediate service
You will carefully attend to such Prisoners as may fall into your hands ー see that they be well and humanely treated ー You may also send your Prisoners on shore in such convenient places where they may be delivered to the Conventions, Committee's of safety or inspection in order to their being taken care of and properly provided for
You will also give proper orders and directions to the Captains or Commanders of the ships or Vessels under your command in case they should be seperated by stress of weather or any other accident in what matter and at what places they shall again join the Fleet.
Step Hopkins Silas Deane
Christ Gadsden Joseph Hewes