[Lieut^t John Rogers Batt.^o] Sir, War Department 7^th May 1798. To facilitate the manning the Frigates as much as possible it is judged proper, that the pay of the able Seamen should be encreased to seventeen Dollars per Month. You will therefore be pleased to proceed to enlist the able Seamen accordingly, at that rate of pay and endeavour to procure the Number of able and ordinary Seamen required for the Constitution with as much Expedition as possible. — It may be proper to inform those able Seamen that have already entered at 15 Dollars per Month, that they will have the Benefit of this Advance, and that orders will be given to pay them the additional sum therefor. — This Alteration of Pay is not to be considered to extend to any other than able Seamen. —