By his Excellency John Rutledge Esquire President and Commander in Chief of South Carolina one of the united States of Americaー
To all whom these presents shall come greeting
Know ye that I do hereby appoint Robert Cockran to be Captain and Commander of the Brigantine of war calld the Notre Dame of the burthen of about Seventy Tons belonging to this State hereby granting License, Commission and authority to him therewith by force of arms to apprehend, seize and take all ships Vessells & Goods which are liable to seizure and Confiscation pursuant to the resolves of the representatives of the said States in General Congress assembled And to bring the same to the most convenient port in order to be legally adjudged in some court of Admiralty or some other court then having jurisdiction in Cases of Capture.
Given under my hand and seal at Chs Town
in the said State of South Carolina this 16th day
of August in the year of Our Lord 1776ー
to take rank as captain from the 31st December 1775, the date of Captain Cockrans Commission from the Council of Safety ー
