General Rules to be observed in conducting to America vessels carrying dispatches for the Congress.
1. All the Papers, Commissions, Orders &c ought to be Made out for St Pierre de Miquelon. And no one on board Except the Captain and officers should know anything to the Contrary.
2. Speaking with any Vessel should if possible be avoided, without however going too far out of the proper course. There would be no great danger in communicating with Vessels encountered on the European Coast, but any pretext might serve for detention, and it is infinitely better to avoid this inconvenience. Nevertheless if it proves impossible, the Captain should show his clearance papers and instructions for St Pierre de Miquelon and not permit himself to be searched or detained, his Vessel being French and bound for a French Island.
3. The ships course must be directed towards the coast of New England to enter if possible into the Ports of Boston, Portsmouth, or Newberry, but carefully to avoid Rhode Island and the Ports of New London. As soon as a Vessel has entered one of the above named ports notice of her arrival must be given to the Committee of the place, the dispatches and cargo delivered, and orders awaited to return.
4. If a Vessel is chased on the New England Coast by an English War ship of superior force, the commander must gain the open sea towards the South and make sail for Virginia or the Carolinas, observing in the same manner on Arriving in any port whatsoever what was prescribed for the ports of Boston and New England. If about to be boarded by the English all Letters for Congress or the States must be thrown into the Sea.
5. If in danger of being boarded near Land it would be very prudent to throw overboard all the fresh water, and to plead the necessity of watering as the reason for Running into the first port. Circumstances may offer other similar excuses which should not be Neglected.
Signed on behalf of the representatives of Congress.
I acknowledge having received from Mr Jonathan Williams the orders of which what is herein written is a True Copy — and to which I promise and bind myself to conform.
Signed in duplicate at Nantes 1st June 1777
Chs Gluyo de la Chisnaye2
