Capt John Fisk,

You being Commander of the Arm'd Brigt Massachusetts your Orders are to proceed to cruize in the Track of the Homeward bound West-India Vessels, & to use your utmost Endeavours to take, burn, sink & destroy all armed and other Vessels, together with their Cargoes, belonging to the Subjects of the King of Great-Britain, Enemies to the United States of America & the natural Rights of Mankind. — Should you be so fortunate as to make any Captures, you are to send them under proper Prize-Masters to some Port in the Eastern Parts of this State or New-Hampshire, from whence the earliest Notice must be given by Express to the Board; — You will bring or send all the Prisoners you may take as shall be practicable, in order to be exchange'd for our suffering Countrymen in the Hands of our Cruel & Inveterate Enemies; — We heartily wish you Success & are — &c. —

[Endorsed]
Orders given
to Capt Fisk }

Ordrs given
to Capt Clouston² }