Sir

having now received Orders from Congress to proceed from Portsmouth in the Ship Ranger instead of the Amphitrite — agreeable to your desire I am willing to make Trial of your intrest and Address in enlisting Able Bodied Men, especially Seamen, to Serve in the Navy under my Command. — You are therefore Ordered and directed forthwith to proceed to Salem in this State And in that district to exert your utmost Skill and Abilities in the Enlistment of prime Seamen and Able Bodied Landsmen to Serve in the Navy under my Command. — You are not to pay the Advance at Providence allowed by Congress — but Send such as enlist, to me. their reasonable expences will be Allowed — they will be entitled to Wages from the day of entry — And I will pay the Advance on their Appearance at the Ship. — I will expect you to observe the Strictest Frugality that may be consistent with the Service. — You herewith receive Blank Articles of enlistment — but as I do not yet know the Name of the Frigate I would rather prefer your useing the written Articles which you have Already received from me. — I mean to Appoint Sundry petty Officers from among the Most deserving Seamen. — I am persuaded that you will be careful to Avoid all cause of complaint and be careful that your whole deportment be Such as becomes the dignity of your Rank Dignity of the Officer and the Gentleman. the Ranger taken altogether will in my Judgement prove the best Cruiser in America. — She will always be able to Fight her Guns under a most excellent cover — And nothing can be better calculated for Sailing Fast or Making good Weather. — When we reach France She will be a great Addition to our other force and Facilitate our Success. — Since the establishment of our Navy no persons in it have had so good — so fair a prospect of Success as ours is at present. - this makes all Arguments in favour of it Unnecessary. — the Ranger is Equiped and in Readiness for Service — a few Men Only are wanting. — I mean to begin Enlisting here immediatly — I have already given enlisting Orders at providence - and shall Also give enlisting Orders at Various other places to the Eastward. — You may Also enlist Men at Marble Head provided your Operations there do not interfere with your .enlistment at Salem — I have Occasion for a number of petty Officers and will show preference to dilligence and Merit Only. I wish you Ample Success and am [&c.]