The following Commission and Instructions was found on board a Rebel Prize lately brought in here, and may serve to show who are the principal Abettors of Piracy in the Ports under mentioned.

By his Excellency John Rutledge, Esquire, President and Commander in Chief of South-Carolina, one of the United States of America.

To all People to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting:

Know ye that I do by these Presents, grant Commission to, and do licence and authorize Thomas Marting, Prize Master, to set forth, in warlike Manner, the Schooner Betsey, of the Burthen of about forty Tons, under his own Command, and therewith, his Force of Arms, to apprehend, seize and take, all such Ships, Vessels and Goods, as are liable to Seizure and Confiscation, pursuant to the Resolves of the good People of the Representatives of the United States of America. in General Congress assembled, and the same to bring to such Port as shall be most convenient, in order to have them legally adjudged in the Court of Admiralty, or other Court having Jurisdiction, in Cases of Capture, pursuant to the said Resolves.

Given under my Hand, and the Seal of South-Carolina aforesaid, at Charles-Town in the said State, this sixteenth Day of July, in the Year of our Lord 1777.

Sir,

Captain Downham Newton, the Owners of the Sloop Vixen, having appointed you to the Command of her on a Cruize, and reposing great Confidence in your good Conduct, I have in their Behalf only to remark, that your Vessel being now properly manned and fitted for a Cruize shall leave it to yourself where you may judge it the most for their Interest, that is, the best to proceed in order to take Prizes; if you do so, and send them into such Ports as you may judge safest. I doubt not but every Precaution will be taken by you to prevent Complaint of ill Treatment to your Prisoners, and that your own People will be properly supplied with Provisions. Below is a List of the Houses we would recommend you to apply to in foreign Ports.

Georgia, Beaufort, and George-Town, express to myself.
North-Carolina, Robert Ellis.
Virginia, Samuel Inglis.
Baltimore, Benjamin Levy or David Stewart.
Philadelphia, Robert Morris, Esq:
Jersey, Express to ditto.
New London, ---------- Shaw.
Rhode-Island, A. Loper [Lopez].
Boston, Isaac Sears.
Dartmouth, L. Brown.
Martinico, William Bingham, Esq:
St. Eustatia and St.Martins, H.D. Bye.
Cape Francois, Isaac Caton.
Cape Nichola Mole, M. Dupeey.

Mr. Marting, I have one Thing to recommend to you, which you will please to observe; you will please mind and keep a good look out. There is John Arril, and Bob, you may depend on. I wish you a good Voyage, and safe in, and am, Sir, your humble Servant,

Downham Newton.