[Left margin: Tho. Truxtun] Sir, War Department 30. May 1798 The Number of French Priva- teers we have daily Accounts of upon our Coasts, and the Depredations they are con- stantly committing, or attempting upon our Trade, renders it extremely desireable, that We should have at Sea, as soon as possible, all the Force, which the United States can command. I flatter Myself that by the Ti[me] this Letter will reach you, you have completed, or so nearly completed your Complement of Men, as to be in a Condition, to enter upon a Cruiser; and that the Articles you may still want, or which may not yet have arrived, are not so essentially necessary, as to prove a Cause for your Detention. If however essential Articles are wanted, and they can be procured where you are, or at Norfolk, without Delay, you are permitted to purchase them using a sound Discretion, and to draw upon me for the Amount. With the same View of avoiding Delay, I enclose a Letter to Lieu[t] Triplett, directing him to repair on board, and to put himself under your Orders, until reliev'd by the Lieutenant of Marines appointed to your Ship; who (unless else) he has arrived at Charleston, and is on his way to join you. Also a Letter to join you, and also a Letter to Lieutenant Dyson, to furnish you with a copy of his Recruits, as you may want to comp[lete] your Establishment of Marines. Enclosed are your In[structions]. The Result of a late Act of [undecipherable] — [undecipherable] dir[ecting] to [undecipherable] you, he [undecipherable] — that you will lose no Opportunity, to distinguish Yourself, and maintain the Rights and honor of your Country. You will consider your Cruising Ground, until further Orders, to extend from Cape Henry, to the Extremity of our Southern Limits. You will protect the Coast, to the utmost of your Power, and in so doing will pay particular Attention to its exposed Parts and the principal Harbors of South Carolina and of Georgia, and, you will also afford all possible Protection, to the Vessels of the United States, coming on or going off the Coast. Captain [undecipherable] also Cruising Ground, is between Long Island and Cape Henry. — You will as often as Opportunities present, transmit a Journal of your Proceedings, and such Events or Occurrences, as may be proper to communicate. All the military and other Stores ordered by you, have been sent forward, except those enumerated in the enclosed List. Those with your Cabin Furniture are preparing; but I suppose if they do not soon arrive, you will not find it necessary to wait for Them. I can [undecipherable] them to Charleston, where you may have occasion to call, and will find Them. For Instructions, see Page 69 & 70. Hospital Stores Utensils &c for the Frigate Constellation, for three Months — REQUISITION made the 24^th May 1798. — 50 Gallons of Molasses 350 ditto Vinegar 47½ ditto Lemon Juice 20 ditto French Brandy 90 ditto Sherry Wine 46 ditto Port Wine 90 ditto low White Wine 55 ditto Porter 24 ^lbs of Raisins 9 ^lbs of Tamarinds 15 ^lbs of Tea 35 ^lbs of Chocolate 112 ^lbs of Brown Sugar 11 ^lbs of Sago 110 ^lbs of Rice 9 ^lbs of [undecipherable] Requisition, continued. 45 ^lbs of Portable Soupe 18 ^lbs of Essence of Spruce 4½ ^lbs of Allspice 1 ^lb of Ginger 7 ^lbs of Mustard 3½ ^lbs of Pepper 182 ^lbs of Barley 18 ^lbs of Oatmeal 90 ^lbs of Linseed Meal 2½ Gallons Oil 24 doz. of Eggs — Utensils 2 doz. Quart Mugs of Tin 2 d°. Pint d°. — d°. 3 large Sauce Pans 4 Camp Kettles 2 Tea Kettles 4 Tea Pots of tin 2 doz. Table Spoons 1 ditto Tea — ditto 1 two Pound Tea Canister 1 four ditto Sugar Box 6 two Gallon Jugs Continued 2 Bed Pans 2 Urinals Stationary 1 Slate & Pencils 2 Quires Blotting Paper 1 Ink Stand Candlestick or Lamp for [undecipherable] 1 Day Book 1 small Hand Bell — 2 Books for Memoranda 6 Grates or Grates for Fires, in the Wall [undecipherable] 1 D° to keep an Acc^t 3 Marine Ventilators of Hospital Stores ½ ream of writing Paper 13 Iron bound Kegs 200 Quills 13 May 1798 of 20 Gallons Each 2 Boxes of Wafers 2 Papers of Ink Powder 1 Pound of Sand. Cabin Furniture — Requisition made the 26^th of May 1798. — 6 Decanters (common) 6 Butter Boats 2 Copper Tea Kettles or patent 1 Black Jack 11 doz. Wine Glasses 2 [undecipherable] Pudding [undecipherable] 2 Japanned Servers 1 Locking [undecipherable] 3 doz. Tumblers, common 2 [undecipherable] 2 Wash Hand Basons (pewter) 2 [undecipherable] 2 Plate Baskets 2 [undecipherable] 1 Tin Funnel 6 Salts Wanted, agreeably to the order from the Secretary of War, dated the 15 Novem^r 1797, and 15 March 1798. — Viz: 19 June 1797 700 Grape & Cannister Shot, for 24 Pounders — " 300 ditto 12 Pounders " 247 Bar Shot 24 ditto 13 Mar 1798 200 Cannister Shot for 3 pound Howitzers 19 June 1797 386 round Shot — 12 Pounders Of the above, the following are ready in Store, and under order to be immediately forwarded. viz: 210 Cannisters of Shot for 24 Pounders 140 D° " 12. D°. 162 D° " 3 pound How[itzers] and 12 Boxes of Candles — 19. May 1798 — Complete Set of Signal Flags & Pendants — — Cabin Furniture Requisition continued — 1 Soup Ladle 6 Mops 2 large Tureens 6 Scrubbing Brushes 2 small ditto 12 Stew & Sauce Pans of 1 Set of Casters different Sizes — 1 Set China Tea — 2 Iron Pots [undecipherable] complete 2 Frying Pans 4 Tea Boxes for Skipper 1 Chaffing Dish from 8 1 Grat Room 1 Cullander 2 Carvery Knives & Forks 6 Candlesticks [undecipherable] 18 3 doz. Table Knives 2 Candle Irons 2 doz. Forks 1 Set of Curtains 3 doz. Dishes of 1 Coffee Pot different Sizes 1 Chocolate Pot 10 d°. Flat & Soup Plates 2 Iron Ladles 2 pair Fermenters 3 doz. Mugs — 3 P^ts & 1 Cabin Bell ½ Pint (Queen's Ware) 4 Patent Lamps 1 Cheese Toaster — 4 Hair Brushes 2 Chamber Pots —