War Office,

Boston Jany 3d 1777

Sir,

You being Master of the Schooner Elizabeth, charter'd by the Board of War, it is their Direction that you embrace the first Wind and sail for South Carolina or Georgia and their dispose of the Cargo at the best price you can obtain, then load the Vessel with Rice, and if you have any Money more than sufficient for that lay it out in good Sole Leather, Raw Hides, or Deerskins, & return with all speed to this State. We wish you a good Voyage. —

By order of the Board J Warren Prest

[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.

Joshua Bartlett

1. Mass. Arch., vol. 151, 398, Letters from the Board of War, 1776-1780.