By His Excellency Rawlins Lowndes Esqr President and Commander In Chief of the State of South Carolina
To.
Gentleman Greeting
I reposing special trust and Confidence in the ability valour patriotism and prudence of you the said [Blank] Haye by virtue of the Powers in Me vested, Commissionated Constituted and by these presents do Commissionate, Constitute and Appoint you the Said [Blank] to be a [Blank] Lieutenant in the navy of this State, now or hereafter to be fitted out, you are therefore diligently and faithfully to execute and perform the duty of [Blank] Lieutenant of any Ship or other vessel, belonging to the said navy to which you shall or may be appointed by any your Superiour officer, agreeable to the rules, and articles which have or may be established in this State for the Reputation of the navy, thereof, and the Custom and usage of nations in that respect, and to perform and Execute all said orders and Instructions as you shall from time to time receive from me or the Commander In Chief of this state for the time being And other your Superiour officer's, and all Inferiour Officers And other belonging to the said navy are Hereby required and Commanded to Obey you as [Blank] Lieutenant thereof according to the Rules and Discipline of War in such Cases Established Given under my Hand and Seal at Charles Town this [Blank] Day of [Blank] and in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven Hundred & Seventy Eight
Delivered to His Excellency the President for the Use of Commodore Gillon 15 Blank Commissions of the same Tenor as the Above July 18th 17781
ScCOAH, Letter Book of Official Acts, Commissions Granted, Decrees, Proclamations by the Governor, etc., p. 76.
1. On the same date, Huger delivered to Lowndes thirty-one blank warrants for the use of Commo. Alexander Gillon in appointing warrant officers. Ibid., p. 77.