Navy Board
​28th A Letter was wrote to Capt. John Mercier

Navy Board 28th February 1777 —

Capt. John Mercier Sir/

The Commissioners of the Navy direct that you do proceed with all posible Dispatch to Beaufort, Broad River, or Savannah river whichever the Commanding Officer of the Troops (now going to Georgia) may Direct, and you are during the time to have the Troops or Stores on board, to follow the Directions of the Commanding Officer in respect to Landing of them, and by all means Endeavour to Cultivate Harmony, between the Troops and Your Own people ー Should you be Obliged to go of[f] the Outside Keep as Close along the shore as you can with Safety, and you are particularly recommended to keep Company with the Other Vessels & give them every assistance in your power during the Passage and by no means to Remain at sea all Night with the Troops on board, if you can possibly get into any one of the Inlets, As soon as the Troops and Stores are Landed, you are to proceed to Beaufort, and there Employ Mr. Black to make such alterations as is necessary to Compleat her for the purpose she is Intended, as soon as that is done and the Vessel Cleared you are to proceed with the Sloop to Charles Town, with all possible dispatch. You are to Advise the Commissioners by every Opertunity of Every Transaction relating to the Vessel worth Communicating to them ー

Edward Blake first Commissr

Ordered, That Capt [Edward] Allen be informed that the Com[missioners] have agreed to take four Coils of new Cordage & as many water Casks out of the Different prizes as may be wanted for the Different Armed Vessels, and to allow 60/. for each H'hd.

Ordered that Mr. Stephen Duvall proceed [to] George Town and that he bring two Guns Landed out of the Rattle snake ー