The Brigantine Massachusetts under Your Command and being Properly Armed & man'd and in other Respects fitted for a Cruize, You are here: by Ordered & Directed Imediately to Proceed to sea, & use Your utmost Endeavours to Protect the sea Coast & Trade of the united States, and you are Also Directed to Exert your self in makeing Captures of all ships & other Vessells, Goods, wares & Merchandize, belonging to the King of Great Brittain or any of his Subjects, werever Residing, Excepting only the ships & Goods of the Inhabitants of Bermuda & the Bahama Islands. and You are Directed not to Cruize farther south, than Lattd 34O North nor farther East than the Grand Bank of Newfoundland, nor farther West than 'the sholes of Nantucket, at All Times using necessary Precaution to prevent your Vessell from falling into the hands of the Enemy

And whereas you have Received a Commission, authorising you to make Captures as aforesaid, and a sett of Instructions have been Deliverd You for Regulating your Conduct in that matter, these Instructions you are hereby Directed Diligently to Attend to, and if you are fortunate as to make any Captures, you are to Order them to make the first Safe Harbour within the united States of America. And you are further Ordered, not to Expend Your Ammunition unnecessarily, and Only in times of Action or firing Alarm or Signall Guns.ー