Constellation off Cape Henry, June 17^th Sir After every Exertion being made that was possible for me to get the Ship to Sea I have at length arrived at the Cove of the Ocean with 312 Men of every Description on Board, the precise Number allowed by Act of Congress, and whose Names and Stations you will see by the inclosed Copy of the Muster Bills. The Merchants of Norfolk having applied to me to convoy a Fleet of their Ships, which they alleged was worth at least One Million of Dollars, I considered it proper and within the Powers given me in my Instructions, to grant their Request as far as the Distance mentioned in the accompanying Papers — S. I forward for your Information. As soon as I have performed my Promise to the Merchants aforesaid, I shall take the Range you have here. Books of the President alluded, and I hope much sincerely that the Scene is at Hand, when I shall have it in my Power to give you a good Account of some of those French Pirates who may, perhaps, are at this Moment hovering within the Pearl of Sea, allotted for my cruising Grounds. The Frigate goes through the Water with great Swiftness indeed, I hope we shall soon have Opportunities to try her sailing by and large. It has been impossible as yet to furnish you the Muster Rolls as complete as I wished, for I have not had Time to examine One and collect from the Remarks many Official Documents. The first Leisure Moment I have, this Duty shall be completed, and the first good Opportunity after it, shall be transmitted to you. As a unanimous Spirit, and improved Measures will always insure us Justice, the United States have my most ardent Wishes for the Adoption complete of those Objects, and that we may be soon restored triumphantly to Peace, and the Enjoyment of a free, and uninterrupted Commerce. I have the Honor to be Sir with the great Respect Your very Obedient humble Servant Thomas Truxtun [The following is a Copy of a Muster Roll made and the Officers I have received cannot have seen from Reports and have exchanged in not any manner the trouble that could never have been flung this is the Genius of company. Persons for which the vessel — My presence in order to make clear will have a fleet from — I am a personal conduct that the of September and a Navy of Frigates may need the Ships coming into the Number. Frigates who are not employed at this time particularly important than the Ages and they were as changes as that.] [James Henry — Dominium — After this matter has been placed in with for having Vanes of company that is in some that were not as when the motion shall have furnished of the ordinary Dolphins having an Order for that Person from the regular Departments.] Signals by Day | Signals by Night Lying under Way, Ensign at Ensign Staff, and fore top Sail loose . . . | Eight lights in a Range To make Sail N^o Jack at Mizen peak | Seven lights in — Ditto To shorten Sail — N^o Jack at Mizen top Gallant Mast head . . . | Six Ditto in — Ditto On seeing a Sail to Windward — N^o Jack at fore top Mast head . . | Five Ditto in — Ditto On seeing a Sail to leeward a Pendant at fore top Gallant mast head | Four Ditto in — Ditto To tack or veer — A Pendant under Jack at Mizen Peak . . . . | Three Ditto in — Ditto To make best of your Way, One Gun, Ensign at Ensign Staff . . . | One Gun, and two lights in a line Sir — If you are to make to find any Convoy about twenty or thirty leagues of Cape Henry — I have only made out a few Signals while as I have deemed sufficient to your Government in agreeing with the Frigate so that a Distance — Your Mention to them with however to me keep — Wishing you all is for your assigned Post I am Sir — Your Obedient Servant United States Ship Constellation Lynn Haven Bay 14 June 1798 Copy of Order Suitable Master of a fleet under Convoy — 17