On receipt of this letter you are to proceed to Portsmouth in New Hampshire where you will find the Amphitrite a French Ship of 20 Guns commanded by Monsr. N. Fautrel a Gentleman that has acquitted himself honorably of the charge he undertook, and we doubt not he will continue the Same good conduct for the remainder of the Voyage.

   This Ship is to proceed from Portsmouth to Charles Town, South Carolina, to load with Rice &c, from thence She goes to France, and we have proposed that you Should go in her this Voyage taking your Commission and Appearing or Acting on Suitable Occasions as the Commander. We know not the number of men on board this Ship, but if Captain Fautrel accepts our propositions, you will examine the Ships force, both as to Guns and men and if the latter are insufficient you may recruit as many more to go with you as Shall be deemed Sufficient to enable you to take and man Such Prizes as may come in your way.(1) In this respect you will consult Mr Langdon to whom we Send Some Warrants to be filled up if you want Petty Officers. We think the Number of men Should be Sufficient to defend the Ship against any armed Merchantmen at the Same time it must be remembered that she is to carry a Cargo from Carolina, therefore too much room must not be taken up with Water Provisions &c. Mr Langdon is directed to put on board sufficient for you and your people, Capt Fautrel will do the same for his. This to prevent hesitation on that Subject and we desire you will give all the aid & assistance in your power to get this Ship away as expeditiously as possible. We have told Monsr. Fautrel that one Third of all Prizes taken by his Ship under Authority of your Commission Shall be appropriated to the use of his owners, himself, Officers and men, the other two Thirds to be divided between the United States, you and your Men agreeable to the Resolves of Congress, and this engagement must be strickly complied with, therefore if you Send any Prizes into any Ports of this Continent, Monsr. Fautrel and you must write the Agent to reserve One third for his use and to follow his orders respecting it. If you carry or Send prizes into France he will receive A Third, you and your people a third, and the other third you must Order to be remitted to the Honorable Benjamin Franklin & Other American Commissioners at the Court of Versailles, Paris for the use of the United States. You will readily see the propriety and Necessity of preserving a Strict harmony and friendship with Monsr. Fautrel, this we recommend you to do at all events, give him every advice and Assistance in your power, and particularly endeavour to procure him good dispatch from Portsmouth & Charles Town. The Continental Agents Livinus Clarkson & John Dorsius will load the

   Ship at the latter place, they will also render you any Service you may Stand in need of.

   You will naturally suppose we do not remove you from the Ship you were so lately appointed to for the Sole purpose of making this voyage in the Amphitrite, we have other veiws and is only adopted as part of our plan which we expect will afford you an Opportunity of doing some Mischief to our Enemies and some good for yourself and the Country you have engaged to serve. We hope you may make many Prizes and thereby lodge Funds in Europe that will assist in executing the other part of our veiws. We are advised by our Commissioners at the Court of France that they can procure us some fine Frigates and as we have a desire to gratify you with the command of a fine Ship in firm dependance that you will make good use of her to serve and promote the Interest of America, we send you to France in the Alnphitrite for these two purposes, first, to avail of her Guns & men to make a Cruizing voyage to France, and then to Obtain One of the Frigates mentioned. When Amphitrite arrives in France you will dispose of your Officers & Men so that they may remain in Safety at the Port whilst you proceed for Paris with the enclosed letter which you must deliver yourself. The Commissioners will procure you A fine Ship and the Officers and Men you take with you will assist towards manning her. The Commissioners will inform you what Port to repair to for this Ship, and whom you are to apply to for Supplies of every kind. We expect you will exert yourself to the Utmost to get the Ship they may appoint for you equipped, manned and fit for Service with the utmost expedition. We desire the Commissioners if they have any particular service for you to perform in Europe to give you the needful instructions, and if any Such you receive it is your business to execute their orders to the best of your power. Such Services as they may point out being performed, or if they order none, you will then enquire of them and of our Commercial Agents Wm Lee & Thomas Morris Esqrs. at Nantes or Bourdeaux if it be Necessary for you to receive on board any Stores or supplies for this Continent, and take in Such as may be ready. We hope you may obtain a fine Ship well equipped in every particular and that you'll be able to get her Officered & Manned. These things done you will steer for America making it your constant Study to take or destroy as many of the enemies Ships as possible during the Voyage. If you receive any dispatches from the Commissioners at Paris or the Commercial Agents for this or any Committee of Congress you must be very carefull of them and always have them ready to be Sunk if too heavy A Ship should attack you.

   You will get into the first safe Port in these States that you can, with the dispatches if any you have. All prizes are to be addressed and give us notice immediately of your Arrival and Send an officer to the Continental Agents here, and to such persons in Europe as the

   Commissioners or Commercial Agents may recommend for that purpose. You remember that we ardently wish to have Strict discipline with good usage maintained in our Navy, that Prisoners are to be treated with humanity, that dilligence in making dispatch both in Port and at Sea, frugality in Expences and care of the Ship, her Stores & materials are absolutely necessary and if duely practiced cannot fail to recommend you to our Friendship and favour.