Gentln

We have the pleasure to transmit to you herein, a Resolution of Congress appointing you A Navy Board in the Eastern Department to Conduct and manage the business of such part of the Continental Navy as may be Built, bought, or fitted from Time to Time in the Four New England States. You are considered by this appointment as a Board of Assistants to the Marine Committee, and subject to their Orders and directions in all such things as are not particularly provided for by orders or Resolutions of Congress, and we have now under our consideration a Set of Instructions adapted to the Nature of your business, and the extent of the Powers you are to be Invested with. In the mean time we desire you will meet together soon as Possible, fix on the most convenient place for opening your Office, which we suppose will be at Boston, appoint your clerk, and get all things so arranged as that you may be ready to enter on the Execution of your Duty without delay and should any business Occur to you as necessary to be done previous to the receipt of the intended instructions, we hereby Authorize you to do all such things in the Naval department as in your opinion will promote the Service and conduce to the true interest of the United States of America, taking care however that you do nothing that is contrary to or inconsistent with the Rules, Regulations, Orders or Resolves of Congress, which you are in all Instances and on all occasions invariably to pursue and Obey.