By the Honorable Nicholas Cooke Esq Deputy Governor, and Lieutenant General, of and over the English Colony of Rhode Island, and Providence Plantations, in New England, in America.
Instructions and Orders to be observed by Captain Abraham Whipple, Commander of the Sloop Katy, and Commodore of the armed Vessels employed by the Government for the Protection of the Trade of this Colony, in Pursuance of the Commission herewith given him
That it shall be lawful for the Said Abraham Whipple, and he is hereby required and enjoined in His Majesty's Name George the third King of Great Britain and So forth, for which his Commission and these Special Orders Shall be a full Warrant and Discharge to him, and all others on Board his Said Vessel and the or [other] Vessels fitted out and employed as aforesaid under his Command, to encounter expulse expel and resist by Force of Arms, as well by Land as Sea, and also to kill, Slay and Destroy, by all fitting Ways Enterprizes and Means, whatsoever, all and every such Person and Persons, as Shall attempt or enterprize the Destruction, Invasion Detriment or Annoyance of the Inhabitants of this Colony or Plantations: And to take and Surprize by all Ways and Means all and every Such Person and Persons, with their Ships Vessels, Armour, Ammunition, or other Goods, as Shall in hostile Manner invade or attempt the Hurt of this Plantation or the defeating thereof, or of the Inhabitants, or of any other Colony's lawfully joined and united with this Colony for mutual Defence and Safety against a common Enemy, in order to preserve the Interest of His Majesty and his Subjects in these Parts.
2. That all Ships and Vessels carrying Soldiers, Arms, Powder, Ammunition, Horses, Provisions, Cloathing, or any thing else for the Use [of] the Armies of Enemies of the united American Colonies Shall be Seized as Prizes.
3. That the Said Abraham Whipple Shall bring or Send into this Colony or Such other Ports or Places as the Exigency of affairs Shall make convenient and Suitable all Such Ships Vessels Goods and Men as he may Seize and take, with all Such Papers Writings and Documents as he may find on Board, to the End that Such Proceedings may be had thereupon as Law and the Necessity of the Case, may Require. And that Such Ship Vessel and Goods, Shall be kept and preserved, without Spoil or Diminution and the Bulk thereof not broken until legal Decision be given for the Forfeiture and Distribution thereof.
4. That no Person taken in any Ship or Vessel, tho known to be of the Enemy's Party Shall be killed in Cold Blood, wounded, hurt, or inhumanly treated, contrary to the just Permission of War, upon Pain of Severe Punishment. And that no female Prisoner Shall be in any manner abused under great and high Penalties.
5. That the Said Abraham Whipple Shall not do or Attempt anyThing against the Commerce or Trade of the United Colonies, or those who have commerce and Friendship with them, unless it be directed against their common Safety, and Such as is declared contraband by the Continental Congress.
6. That the said Abraham Whipple his Officers and Company, Shall endeavour to the utmost of their Power to give Aid and Succour to all Such Ships and Vessels as they may find trading for the Benefit and Advantage of these united Colonies, and labour to free them from every Distress.
7. That the Said Abraham Whipple Shall on bringing or Sending in any Prize immediately give or Cause to be given Notice to the Chief Authority of any Place where Such Prize Shall be brought in, every particular relating thereto, to the End that Justice may be done to all parties concerned.
8. That the Said Abraham Whipple Shall keep a Correspondence from Time to Time, and at all Conveniences, with the Commander in Chief of this Colony or the General Assembly, of all Prizes which he Shall take, and of every Thing Material which may occur; and observe Such further Orders as Shall be given him by the Assembly or his Superior Officers
Given under my Hand and the Seal of the Col. afsd by and with the Consent and Approbation of the Committee of Safety the Day of [13 June] in the 15th Year of His Majesty's Reign AD 1775
By His Honor's Command
