War Office,

Boston Jany 3d 1777

Sir

You being Master of the Schooner Edward charter'd by the Board of War, your orders are to proceed direct for Baltimore, where you are to dispose of your Rum & Sugar, for the most you can obtain; purchase a Load of Good Common Flour, with the Addition of Six Tons of Pig, & Six Tons of Barr Iron, & come home.

If any Ballance should remain after purchasing your Cargo, you will leave it in the Hands of Messrs Saml & Robt Purviance Merchts there taking their Receipt to whom you will also apply for the Pig Iron, who will ship the Same on board your Vessel on Account ofthis State. —

You will run for Nantucket shoals, then make the first harbour you can and if upon enquiry you can learn that the Harbour of Boston is safe & free from the Enemy, you will make the best of your way for it or otherways give notice of Your Arrival to the Board by Express We wish you a good Voyage. —

[Endorsed] Boston Jany 3d 1777 I acknowledge the above to be a true Copy of the orders I have rec'd from the Honble Board of War, and promise to obey the same.

Samuel Arnold