Sir,

You being appointed Master of the Sloop Diamond in the Service of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations and now fitted for Sea and ready to Sail, Our Orders to you are to embrace the first favourable Opportunity of Wind and Weather and Proceed to Sea and make the best of your way to such Port or inlet in the State of Maryland as by getting all possible Information you shall find is safest, and least infested by the Enemys Ships of War, and on your arrival at such Port you are to value yourself upon some Merchant of eminence and Reputation and to request that they purchase for you on Account of this State a Lading of Flour or other Provisions; and for the Amount of such Cargo as they may purchase and lade on board said Sloop you are hereby authorized and fully empowered in behalf of this State to draw Bills upon the Honble William Ellery Esqr. a Delegate for this State in Congress in favour of any Person or Persons for the Amount of such Sums as they may furnish You with for the Purpose aforesaid, agreeable to a Letter of Credit furnished you by this State bearing even Date herewith.

Having finished your Business in Maryland in which you are to make all possible Dispatch you are then to make the best of your Way to such Harbour in Bosworths Bay¹ or Boston as by getting all possible Intelligence you shall find is most safe, and on your amval at such Port you are immediately to inform this State thereof by Express.

We earnestly reccommend to you to be very frugal in your Expences and Disburstments, make all the Dispatch you can and above all be very vigilant in keeping a good look out against our common Enemy.

And for your Care and trouble in this Behalf we agree to allow you 90 Dollars per Month as Wages and Twenty barrels Privilege. We Wish you a prosperous Voyage and safe and Speedy Return.