By John Paul Jones Esquire, Captain in the American Navy &C^a.
Lieutenant Thomas Simpson
Sir.

You are hereby appointed Commander of our Prize, the English Ship of war Drake. You are to keep company with me, and to pay punctual Attention to the Signals delivered herewith for your Government—Your are to superintend the Navigation, and defence of the Ship under your command—and to Support me, as much as possible, shou’d we fall in with, and Engage any of the Enemies Ships. The honour of our Flagg is much concerned in the preservation of this Prize, therefore keep close by me and she shall not be given tamely up. You will take your Station on the Ranger’s Starboard quarter, at or about the distance of a Cables length, should bad weather or any accident separate you from the Ranger—You are to make the best of your way to France, and I recommend the Port of Brest to your Preferance—You will secure all the books—Charts, Instruments, and Effects, belonging to the deceased Captain and Officers &Ca. for which this shall be your Order.—Given on board the American Continental Ship of War Ranger, off the Island of Ila,¹ in the Channel between Scotland and Ireland—the 26th Day of April 1778.²

A True Copy