[undecipherable] [Cap^t John Barry] Sir, Navy Departm^t 3 July [undecipherable] The Frigate, United States, und[undecipherable: probable reading under] your Command, being equipped, manned & arm[undecipherable: probable reading armed,] you will proceed to Sea with the first fair Wind. Enclosed, you will receive your Instructions founded on the existing Acts of Congress and by which you are to be govern[undecipherable: probable reading governed,] until further Orders. These Instructions conf[undecipherable: probable reading confine] you within narrow Limits, and you can do [undecipherable] more under them, than exercise your Men [undecipherable] the [undecipherable]. It is rarely to be expected th[undecipherable] French Cruisers will have the Temerity to [undecipherable] themselves in your Way. But it is not imp[undecipherable: probable reading improbable] that a very few days, & before your Men are [undecipherable]ciently disciplined, you may be rend[undecipherable] important Service with great[undecipherable] this Idea, I am directed by the [undecipherable] your Attention to the [undecipherable] in putting [undecipherable] to be prepared for any Enterprise—and to express his entire conviction, that Nothing on your Part will be wanting to justify the high Confidence reposed by him, and your Country in your Soldierly Skill & Bravery — After Stretching off 8 or 10 Leagues of Delaware for four days if in that Time you should receive Nothing from [us,] You will consider your Cruising Ground to extend from Cape Henry to a Nantucket and will use all the Means in your power to defend this Extent of Coast against the Depredations of the Vessels sailing under the Sanity & Pretence of Authority from the French Republick. And it is [undecipherable] required by the President that you will in Conjunction with the Force of Cap^t Dale whose Cruising Ground has hitherto been between Cape Henry & Long Island, & with whom you will doubtless fall in, afford all possible Protection to the Vessels of the United States, coming on or going off his Coast — It will be proper for [undecipherable] as your pass the Capes of Delaware from Time to Time, to stand in hoisting a Danish Flag, on the main top Mast head, that may be known to any express Boat, that be dispatched after You. — Cap^t Decatur had orders to cruise with Cap^t Dale, until the 10^th Instant If you should fall in with Decatur sooner than the 10^th you will direct him to proceed to join Cap^t Truxtun on the Southern Station. —