Salem March 25 1778
Captn. Nathn. Brown
The Brigt. Montgomery1 of which you are the Commander, is now ready for a Cruize upon the Enemies of the United States of N. America, among whom are Included all the Subjects of the King of Grate Briton, Except the Inhabetants of the Bermuda and Bahama Islands.—
Our orders are that you Procead Immedeately to Sea Stearing your Course from Cape Ann over St. Gorges Bank—and from thence to Grand Bank Crossing it in the Lattd. of 44d N. Lattd. and from that to the Eastward as far as the Longtd. of 40 West. and thair to Cruize from the Lattd. of 44 N. to the Lattd of 48 until1 you have bin oute two months and then you my [may] Cruize more to the Southward or any outher way as you may think most for the benefit of you and the owners. if you Should take any Vessels with Light good[s] think it best for you to take as much oute onbord your Brigt. as possable. Would Advise you to Bring home as many Prisoners as you Can With Safety—we wish you a Good Cruize &ca
Peter Lander for him Self and the outher Owners
Order each Prize upon thair getting as far up as the Islands, to Clew up and Sheet home thair fore Top gallant Sail three times as a Signell—with the Coulers at the fore Toupmast head
N.
L, MSaE, Miscellaneous Shipping and Commercial Papers, Box 1. Docketed: "Instruction to/Capt Nathl Brown/of Pr Brig Montgomery."
1. Massachusetts privateer brigantine Montgomery, Nathan Brown, commander, was commissioned on 5 Feb. 1778 and was owned by George Williams and Joshua Ward, Jr., of Salem. M-Ar, Revolutionary Rolls Collection, vol. 6, 292, 295. Montgomery is described in the petition for her commission as of about 160 tons burthen, mounting 16 carriage guns and 6 swivel guns, and navigated by a crew of 100 seamen. M-Ar, Mass. Archives Collection, vol. 168 (Council Papers, 1777-1778), 172.
