Sir

The Sachem Sloop of war under your command being ready for sea, after having received on boarg a quantity of Indigo shipped by the Secret Committee of Congress. You are to proceed from this port to the Island of St Eustatia, and on your arrival there apply to Mr Saml Curson junr to whom the Indigo is addressed, deliver it to him agreeable to Bills of Lading and take his receipt. On your arrival in that Port wait on the Governor and ask the Liberty and protection of the Port in the name of the United States of America. Take care not to violate the neutrality of it neither suffer your people to behave in any disorderly or irregular manner there ー procure the utmost despatch of your business and receive on board any Stores or Merchandize Mr Curson, Mr Henricus Goddet, or Mr C: [Cornelius] Stevenson all of that plac~ may have to ship, or so much thereof as you can with propriety or convenience bring back. Which done you must grant them bills of Lading receive their despatches and proceed back for this Coast.

If you can get back to this Port and find it secure do so. If it is gaurded by the enemy get into Cheseapeake Bay, or into some Safe Inlet or harbour and give us the earliest notice of your Arrival with an Account of what goods you bring back. Should you make any Prizes going or coming, send them into the safest Ports, addressed to the Continental Agents where they Arrive. If you carry them into the West Indies you may order perishable commodities or those suited for the Country to be sold provided the property is indisputably Prize, agreeably to the discriptions of Congress, but the Vessels and other parts of the Cargoes must come to the Continent for condemnation

It is a Standing Instruction of this Committee to all the Navy that Prisoners be used with humanity and kindness and that you pay due attention and obedience to the printed Instructions of the Navy Board. so farewell

We are yours friends &c