Capt Joseph Doble,

You are hereby appointed to the command of the Guard Ship Adams now in this Harbour, by us provided agreeably to an Act of this State for the reception of all Persons convicted of being inimical to this & the other united States, & whose Residence in this State may be dangerous to the Public Peace & Safety; — You are accordingly to enter on said command & to receive on Board said Ship & safely keep all such Persons as may from time to time be sent you by this Board — You are not to permit any Persons to visit the Prisoners, neither are you to suffer them to go on Shore, or to write to or receive Messages or Letters from any Persons whatever, without Leave first obtaind from this Board; — You are to keep a constant Guard on your Ships Deck, by placing a Centinel there for which Purpose you will have the necessary Arms & Ammunition for which you are to be accountable — You are to receive Six Pounds per Month as Wages, & three Rations pr Day Subsistence, to ship a Mate at four Pounds pr Month, & four other Men at three Pounds, Twelve Shillings pr Month, who are also to receive one Ration pr Day Subsistance.—

Should any of the Prisoners be ill or other extraordinary Circumstances take place concerning them, you are to make an immediate Representation to this Board; — It is expected that you treat your Prisoners with all the Humanity consistent with their Situation, & that you with your Men continue on Board your Ship Night & Day, unless otherways directed, and in general you are to follow & obey all such Orders as you shall at any time hereafter receive from this Board. —

Given at the War-Office in Boston this Tenth Day of July Anno Domini: 1777.  —