In Council June 6, 1776
Sir
You being appointed Master of the Sloop Swift fitted out by this Colony for the gaining Intelligence Respecting the British Fleets and Armys ー You are therefore, as soon as your Vessell is Ready, to Sail for some part of the Coast of Nova Scotia, or you may Cruise on the Seas between Cape Nova Scotia ー and Use your utmost Endeavours for the gaining Intelligence Ann & as aforesaid, and when you shall gain Certain Accounts of the Embarkations of the Troops at Hallifax, or the movement of any Considerable fleet of theEnemy, and the Couse they have for some time Steared, you are then with all possible dispatch, to give Information to the Council of this Colony and the Committee of Safety of the Town where you may Arrive ー that Such measures may be taken, as the defence and Security of this Colony may Require; and you are to use all necessary Precaution to prevent your Vessell from falling into the Hands of the Enemy, whereby the good design of Fixing out your Vessell may be Frustrated. As you have received a Commission, by Force of Arms to Attack, Subdue and take all Ships and Other Vessells belonging to the Inhabitants of Great Britain on the High Seas under Certain Restrictions, you must Punctually follow the Instructions herewith delivered you for your Conduct respecting this Matter2
1. Mass. Arch., vol. 164, 377.
2. These instructions were passed by the Continental Congress on April 3, 1776, but had been altered to read "Council June 6th 1776, Instructions to Capt. John Wigglesworth Commander of the Sloop Swift Fixed out by the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay." Throughout the text "Council" had been substituted for "Congress." Subsequently these same instructions were recalled, and after July 4, 1776, "States" was substituted for "Colonies, " ibid., 119.
