Capt Stephen Cleveland²

Sir, We have been regularly informed by John Bradford Esq. of his purchasing, loading & fitting the Brigt Dispatch in consequence of our orders, and we approve of his having appointed you to the command of that Brigt in the Continental service, as he gives you an extreme good character, of which we hope & expect, to find you very deserving. ー The Honble Continental Congress of which we are members, authorized us as a Committee to purchase the Brigt, and to order her on such voyage as would best answer certain purposes, to the States of America.

You will receive this by the hands of John Philip Merkle Esq. and are to be governed by the following instructions, during the present voyage, or until you receive others from Congress, or from this, or some other Committee of Congress. Mr Bradford will require bills of loading from you, for the entire cargo, onboard the Dispatch) consigned to the above mentioned John Philip Merkle Esq, (who is to go passenger in the Brigt,) at her discharging port in Europe, such bills of loading you are to sign, receive Mr Merkle onboard, assist him in providing Sea Stores, and then proceed with the utmost diligence for the coast of France, avoiding most carefully all vessels at sea, and put into the first convenient port you can make in that Kingdom; Nantes or Bourdeaux may perhaps be the safest, and you must then deliver to Mr Merkle any part of the cargo he may find it convenient to sell, or the whole if he chooses it. We enclose to Mr Bradford 3 a Packet directed to Messrs Saml & J. H. Delap Merchts in Bourdeaux. Mr Bradford will deliver that Packet to you, and we require your utmost care of it, Should you have the misfortune to be taken, you must throw it overboard, slung with a weight that will sink it, for on no account must this fall into the hands of our enemies on the contrary, if you get safe into Bourdeaux, deliver it yourself to Messrs Sam. & J. H. Delap, Merchts there, if you go into any other port, forward it to them, by post or special messenger, as you may be advised is safest & best; you must also advise these Gentlemen, what other ports, or places Mr Merkle intends to order you for, and desire them to write you a few lines telling you how to direct letters to Silas Deane Esq., so that they will certainly fall into his hands. We expect Mr Merkle will direct you to proceed from France to Amsterdam, and you must obey his orders, delivering to him the rest of the Cargo at any port, or ports he may desire, he is not to pay any freight, but will supply you with all things necessary for the Brig and money to pay charges; for all you receive in money, stores, outfitts, &c. you'll grant him proper receipts, and when you have discharged entirely the present cargo, you are to receive from him all such goods, Wares, Merchandize, Arms & Ammunition, as he may think proper to ship, granting him bills of loading for what he puts onboard. We also give you liberty to arm the Brig in the most compleat manner, with as many four Pounder Cannon, Swivells, Blunderbusses, Musquets, Cutlasses &c. as may be proper for such a vessel. You may also ship as many good seamen as you can conveniently accomodate, obtaining them on the best terms in your power; ー lay in a suitable stock of provisions, a sufficient quantity of Ammunition &c, the cost and charges of all which, Mr Merkle will defray, taking your receipts.

Whilst this business is transacting, you will write immediately after your arrival, at the port where it is to be done, to Mess. Sam. & J. H. Delap of Bourdeaux, & also to Silas Deane Esq. if you obtain from them in time, his address; tell them how to direct letters to you, and when you expect to sail, ー and we expect you will receive back from them letters & packets for us, if you do, the utmost care must be taken of them, don't let them be seen by any person whatever, sling them with a weight ready for sinking, and if taken, be sure to let them go overboard in time, but we hope you will have better fortune & bring them safe.

When your Vessel is completely fitted, the cargo onboard & you have received your dispatches from Mr Merkle, you are then to put out to sea, and make the best of your way back to America. We think it best not to fix on any particular port for you to aim at, but leave you at liberty to push into the first safe harbour you can make, in any of the United States of America, and on your arrival, apply to the Continental agent, if there be one at, or near that place, if not, to the persons in authority there, desiring their advice & assistance, to forward with the utmost expedition to us, all the letters, packets &c. you bring, ー you will also write us the state and condition of your vessel, and we shall return orders for your further proceedings. We sand you herewith a Commission, a book of regulations respecting captures &c, and a list of the Continental agents for your government, if you should take any prizes, but you are to remember prizes are not your object, we wish you to make an expeditious and safe voyage & for this reason desire you will make all possible dispatch both at Sea and in Port. We expect you will be careful of the Brigt, her stores & materials, allow your people plenty of good Provisions, but suffer no waste, and be as frugal as is consistent with true economy in your expences & charges, these things duly observed will recommend you to the governing powers in America and in time, your utmost ambition may be gratified provided merit leads the way to promotion.

If any American Masters, or Mates of Ships, or seamen, want passages, you may accomodate them, free of any charges or expence, ー probably Mr Merkle may find it proper to make your vessel a French, or Dutch bottom, and clear you out for the West Indies, in such case, you will do what is needful on your part to answer his views, and we hope you will be attentive to accomodate and please him during this Voyage. We are Sir, [&c.]