[Docket: Thomas Gordon / 2^d Sep^r 1797] Rec'd 2^d Sep^r 1797 of William Marklea. Two dollars advance — 2 dol Thomas Gordon I Thomas Gordon do acknowledge that I have voluntarily inlisted myself to serve One Years in the Marine Service of the United States, unless sooner discharged; upon the terms mentioned in the Act passed the first day of July 1797 entitled, An Act providing a naval Armament and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] dollars [undecipherable] and that I have had read to me the rules and articles of [strikethrough: war] the Navy against mutiny and desertion, [strikethrough: and relative to the administration of justice] WITNESS MY HAND, this 2^d day of September 1797 Tho^s Gordon In the presence of I Thomas Gordon do solemnly swear to bear true allegiance to the UNITED STATES of AMERICA, and to serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers whomsoever; and to observe and obey the orders of the PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the rules and articles of [strikethrough: war] the Navy SWORN before me, this day of . 179