Constellation off Cape Henry, June 17^th S^ir 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, fed by the inclosed Copy of the Musters Bills. The Merchants of Norfolk having applied to me to convey a Fleet of their Ships, which they alleged was worth at least One Million of Dollars; I considered it proper, and within the general provisions in my Instructions, to grant their Request so far as the Distance mentioned in the accompanying Papers, &c. &c. I forward for your Information. As soon as I have performed my Promise to the Merchants aforesaid, I shall take the Range you have lain, Parts of the President's Cruse, and I hope, most 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, be at this Moment hovering within the Tract 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 her a Muster Roll as complete as I wished, for I have not had Time to examine any and all lists from the Recruiting Officers Documents. The first leisure Moment I have, the Roll shall be completed, and the first good Opportunity after it shall be transmitted to you. As a unanimous Spirit and vigorous 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 great Respect, Your very Obedient humble Servant Thomas Truxtun [notation: Endorsed as this Copy of a Muster Bill under the 15 Entries I have received cannot be seen from Norfolk, and have undergone an not yet minute intervals, that could never have been found like to the Books, to unpack. I must do it who can make it. Signatures below. My provision is made a last result, but that I am to furnish of Plymouth a 4 Men of 52 Persons there to be 10 men into the Superintendent, rights who are not employed in the Ship particularly, any more than the case so they can not change as that.] [notation: James Henry] [notation: And with me out officers, the would not have furnished at the ordinary Zephyrs boring us Orders for that Person from the regular Department.] [notation: Secretary of War] Signals by Day | Signals by Night Hoist under Way, Ensign at Ensign Staff, and fore top-Sail loose . . . . . | Eight Lights in a Range To make Sail, 1^st Jack at Mizen peak | Seven Lights in — Ditto To shorten Sail, 1^st Jack at Mizen Gp Gallant Cleat head . . . . | Six Ditto in — Ditto On seeing a Sail to Windward, 1^st 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 wear, A Musket 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 made to escort any Convoy about twenty or thirty Leagues, please go past Cape Henry, I have only made out a few Signals, while as I have deemed sufficient for your Government in keeping with the Frigate so that a Distance. Your Mention to them with however to the Convoy. Wishing you a safe to your consigned Port, I am Sir, Your Obedient Servant United States Ship Constellation Lynn Haven Bay 16 June 1798 [seal] Copy of Orders to under Masters of a Vessel under a Convoy | 177