To Capt Barzl Smith

Sir Youll Please to repair on board the Armd Schooner Eagle, belonging to me ー as Commander in chief ー and there behave yourself according to your Instructions given by Congress ー you are hereby Order'd to sea in said schooner under your command ー There remain four mont[hs] (if nothing happens which will cause your return) Cruizing for any Vessel, or property of Great Britain Youll sail from the Cape Cod ー direct for St Georges Banks ー from thence well to the Eastward ー If you find nothing worth Notice till to the Eastward of Grand Banks ー Youll Dire[c]t your course for the Ships that sail for Barbado[es] from London ー to the windard of Barbadoes 40 to 50 Leagues; there youll make your cruize when your time is up ー youll return directly to Boston ー If you shoud take any Prizes on your Cruize ー order them to Boston ー or some nigh Port ー be Carefull in maning your Prizes; put Plenty of men on board to secure the same ー if you shoud come thought [athwart] any Vessel that is not rich, take out what you can of her goods and let her go ー when you get a good Prize, secure her well with men be carefull not to take any Vessel belonging to any inhabitant of the States of America for the rest act discretionally ー Yours &c

[Endorsed] Boston March the 17th 1777ー

The within writen Orders sign'd by Elijah F. Payne was at the date of said Orders deliver'd to me by said Payne for my directions at sea while in and commander of sd Schooner Eagle for four months cruize

Test. Barzilla Smith