By John Paul Jones Esq^r Captain of the American Navy 8^ca.— 
M^r Joseph Green
Sir

You are hereby Appointed Commander of our Prize the Brigantine Mary, you are to Navigate her with all possible dispatch to Nantes Bourdeaux, or some other of the most convenient and Safe Ports in France, should you be able to hold way with the Ranger you are to keep Company, untill I give you Orders to make the best of your Way, either by hailing you, or if at a distance by hoisting a Jack at the Maintopgallant Mast head, I depend on your being particularly careful that no part of the Cargo be Embezzled or destroyed, on your Arrival you are to make Application by Letter, or Personally to W^m: Lee, or Thomas Morris Esq^rs. American Agents at Nants and Bourdeaux, who are Authorized to make Sale of the Prize, should you meet with any of the Enemies Ships, you are to personate the late Master Tho^s. Riches, Hail from Malaga, and let One of your Men pass for the Mate, the rest for the Crew, you are not to leave the Vessel, yourself untill you see her Cargo delivered of which you are to take a particular, and exact Account, you are also to take an inventory of the Vessels Stores, and you are to return the Mideterranean pass to me together with any other papers which you may discover on board, you are notwithstanding to Obey all future Orders from me however different the foregoing.

Given on board the Ranger at Sea 23^d day of November 1777.