[docket:] Joseph Russell 8^th December 1797 I Joseph Russell do acknowledge that I have voluntarily inlisted myself to serve the One Year 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 [that] the pay of six dollars [per] Month — [strikethrough: the Navy] and that I have had read to me the rules and articles of [strikethrough: war] against mutiny and desertion, [strikethrough: and in relation to the administration of justice] WITNESS MY HAND, this 8^th day of Dec^r 1797 joseph Russell In the presence of Geo: Reardon I Joseph Russell do solemnly Swears 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 Sixteenth day of December 1797 George Leib