War Office, August 24. 1797. Sir. In order that a perfect uniformity of dress may be observed by the officers, marines, and others, on board the ships of War which may be employed in the service of the United States, I transmit you, inclosed, the regulations which have been established for this purpose; and to which you, and all under your command, will be pleased to pay due respect. I am Sir, with respect, Your obedient Serv.^t James McHenry Captain John Barry. Commander of the Frigate United States. --- Uniform for the Navy of the United States of America. Captains Uniform. Full dress Coat. Blue cloth, with long buff lappels, and a standing collar and lining of buff— to be made and trimmed full with a gold Epaulet on each shoulder. The cuffs buff, with four buttons and four buttons to the pockets. Lappels to have nine buttons and one to the standing collar. Buttons, yellow metal, and to have the foul Anchor, and American Eagle on the same. Vest and Breeches. Buff; with flaps and four buttons to the pockets of the vests, so as to correspond and be in uniform with the coat. Buttons, the same kind as the vest, only proportionably smaller. Lieutenants. Coat. Long; Blue, with half lappels, standing collar and lining of buff. The lappels to have six buttons and one to the collar, below the lappel, right side three buttons, left side three close worked button holes. Three buttons to the pocket flaps, and three to a slash sleeve with a buff cuff. One gold Epaulet on the right shoulder. Trimmings plain twist. Vest and Breeches. Buff— The former to be made with skirts, and pocket flaps, but to have no buttons to the pockets. The buttons for the vest and breeches, and coat, the same as for the Captains Uniform. Lieutenants of Marines. Coat. Long; Blue, with long lappels of red; standing collar and lining, red; The lappels to have nine buttons, and one to the standing collar. Three buttons to the pocket flaps and three to a slash sleeve with a red cuff. One gold Epaulet on the right shoulder for the Senior Lieu-tenant, where there are two Lieutenants for the same ship, and one on the left shoulder for the second officer. Where there is only Lieu-tenant he is also to wear the epaulet on the right shoulder. Trimmings plain.— Vest and Breeches. The former, red, with skirts and pocket flaps, but to have no buttons to the pockets— The latter, blue— Buttons, for the suit, the same as the Captains and Lieutenants. Surgeons. Coat— Long. Dark Green, with black velvet lappels and standing collar. Lappels to have nine buttons, and one to the standing collar— No linings, other than being faced with the same cloth as the coat. Slash sleeves, the cuff the ^same as the facings, with three buttons. Pocket flaps, plain— Vest and Breeches— The former, red, double breasted— The latter, green, same as the coat. Buttons, the Same as the Officers— Surgeons Mates. The same as the Surgeons with only this difference in the coat, to wit— Half lappels with six buttons, and one to the collar, below the lappels right side, three buttons; left side, three close worked button holes. Sailing Master. Coat. Long. Blue, with facings and standing collar of the same, edged with buff— Nine buttons to the lappels, and one to the standing collar. Lining blue, or faced with the same as the coat— Slash sleeve, with three buttons. pockets plain. Vest and Breeches. Plain Buff Vest— and Blue Breeches. Buttons (for the suit) the same as for the Officers. Pursers. Coat. Plain frock Blue coat, with the proper naval buttons:— No lappels. Vest and Breeches. Buff; and plain. Midshipmen. Coat. Plain frock coat of blue, lined and edged with buff; without lappels a standing collar of buff; and plain buff cuffs, open underneath with three buttons. Vest and Breeches. Buff— former to be made round and plain— Buttons (for the suit) the same as before described. Marines. Plain short coats of blue, with a red belt, edged with red, and turned up with the same, with common small naval buttons, with blue pantaloons edged with red and red vests— Captains, Lieutenants and Marine Officers to wear when full dressed cocked hats with black cockades, and small swords (Yellow mounted)— and when undressed such swords as may be hereafter fixed upon, or ordered, which said swords are to be worn at all times by the Midshipmen, who are to wear cocked hats, &c. when full dressed only— Surgeons: Mates; Sailing Master: &Purser:— Cocked hats and black cockades. James McHenry Secy. of War [War Office] [Aug^t. 24. 1797] N.B. Summer dress— Vest and Breeches excepting for marine soldiers to be white, or Nankeen, as may correspond with the Uniform &c &c— Marines white linen Overalls— [(Copy) Signed James McHenry Secy of War dated War Office 24 Aug^t 1797]