Page:The story of John Paul Jones (IA storyofjohnpaulj00fitz).pdf/48

In CONGRESS.

The DELEGATES of the UNITED STATES of New Hampſhire, Maſſachuſetts Bay, Rhode·Iſland, Connecticut, New·York, New·Jerſey, Pennſylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North·Carolina, South·Carolina, and Georgia, TO

John Paul Jones, Esquire

WE, repoſing eſpecial Truſt and Confidence in your Patriotiſm, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity, DO, by theſe Preſents, conſtitute and appoint you to beCaptain of the vessel———— called the ———————— in the NavyService of the United States of North·America, fitted out for the Defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every hoſtile Invaſion thereof. You are therefore carefully and diligently to diſcharge the Duty of Captainby doing and performing all manner of Things thereunto belonging. And we do ſtrictly charge and require all Officers, Marines and Seamen under your Command, to be obedient to your Orders as CaptainAnd you are to obſerve and follow ſuch Orders and Directions from Time to Time as you ſhall receive them from this or a future Congreſs of the United States, or Committee of Congreſs for that Purpoſe appointed, or Commander in Chief for the Time being of the Navy of the United States, or any other your ſuperior Officer, according to the Rules and Diſcipline of War, the Uſage of the Sea, and the Inſtructions herewith given you, in Purſuance of the Truſt repoſed in you. This Commiſſion to continue in Force until revoked by this or a future Congreſs:
Dated at Philadelphia October 10^th. 1776.

By Order of the Congress.

ATTEST Chs. Thomson Jun. President.