Salem — Augst [13]2 1777
Capt Nathn Nichols
The Sloope Patty of wich you are Master being in all Respects ready to Sail wee do advise & Order you to Come to Sail & make the Best of your way for Cape Francis — on Your Arivall there dispose of your Cargo for the Most you Can the Proceeds of yr Cargo after fining the Sloop in good Order & Purchasing the few goods that you have a List of wee would have you leave in the Hands of Mr John Dupea taking his Receipt for the Same to be paid to your Owners or their Order — & after you have Setled all Your Affairs & got the Sloope Clean & in good Order — make the Best of your way down the W Side Jamaica & there wee expeckt you will take as much Interest Out of Some of the Drogers as will load Your Sloop wich having done if you Can take no large Vessel at Sea wee would have you Proceed into some of the Harbours the W Side & Cut One Out — you must be very Carefull of the Vessels you take first that they do not get Information of Your being on the Coast — the Success of this Voiage depends intirely on its being Conducted rite & wee leave the Affair wholly to you. — if you are Chased on your Passage Out by a Frigate & the Chase is near Equal you have leave to heave Over part of Our Cargo if you think best — in Case you Should get taken on your Passage Out wee think it best You Should heave these Orders & yr Commission & all Such Papers Over & tell them you are going to purchase a Vessel & load her for Salem with Molass of Interest that I have at the Mold [Mole St. Nicolas] is the Reason of your having so many Hands — but after you have fitted the Sloope & have taken any thing you will you will then for your Own Safety take care of yr Commission — not having to ad wee Commit you to the Allmightys Protection & am Yr Friend & Employers
the above is a true Coppy of my Orders this Day Receivd Per me Nathan Nichols —
1. Derby Family Mss., XXVII, El.
2. Date of bond, Papers CC (Ships' Bonds Required for Letters of Marque and Reprisal, 1776-83), 196, XI, 60, NA.