Sir

By J. P. J. &ca &ca

You are hereby Appointed commander of our prize the Ship [blank]

You are required and directed to keep Company with me and Obey all my future Orders and all Signals made on board here, agreeable to the Copy of Signals which you receive herewith for your Government. — Should You Unfortunately be Seperated from the Squadron You are to proceed with all possible dispatch to the Most convenient port within the United States of America.

I would Advise you to proceed through Nantucket shoals to Rhode Island. — be careful of the Ship with her cargo and Stores let nothing under your care be wasted or Misused — Your careful attention to these things will promote your future Intrest

Given on board the Alfred
Novr 25th 1776
J. P. J.

3 Copies
To Messrs Saml Tiley, Mich. Knies, & James Bechup Commanders of the Ships Betty, Surpise and Molly
thier Stations — The Betty on the Alfreds Larboard Qr
The Surprise a Stern of the Betty and the Molly Astern of the John

N.B. the day and Night Signals to be made with or without a Gun Meeting after Seperation — those to windward shall Clew up their Main topsoil and Spread an Ensign on the Maintopmast Backstay from the Cross trees Downwards — and those to leeward shall answer by Clewing up their Fore Topsail and Spreading an Ensign on the Fore topmast Backstay.
3 Copies