Transcription

Cap.t Thos Truxton War Office, 16 th March, 179 [undecipherable] Sir, I have it in Command from the Preside[nt] of the United States, to direct you to repair with all due Speed on board the Ship Constellation lying at Baltimore

It is required that no Time be lost in carrying the Ship into deep Water, taking on board her Cannon, amunition, Water, Provisions & Stores of w [undecipherable] Cannon, amunition, Water, Provisions, & Stores of w [undecipherable] hind completing what Work is yet to be done, shippi[undecipherable] her Complement of Seamen & Marines, and preparing her in every Respect for Sea

The Lieutenant of Marines will immediately proceed to inlist the Marines, agreeably to the Act for providing a Naval Armament passed the first of July 1797. You will be pleased to transmit to him the annexed Regulations for that Purpose.

You will herewith receive Commiss n and Warrants for the following Officers. Vis 1 John Rogers of Maryland Second Lieutenant William Cooper of Virginia Third Ditto Philip Edwards of Maryland Lieutenant of Marines George Dalfour of Virginia Surgeon Isaac Henry of Pennsylvania, Surgeon's mate Edward Hansfield, of Virginia, Sailing Master. Isaac Garrelson of Maryland, Purser. [undecipherable] Charles Wederstrandt Maryland Midshipm[undecipherable] Jebez Bowen, Junior. Rhode Island. Ditto Henry Van Dyke Delaware D.o John Dent Maryland D.o John Marshall Clayett D.o D.o

You will be pleased to signify the Warrant Officers that their being appointed at Times, is not to affect the Question of relative [undecipherable] as it respects Midshipmen for the other Vessel yet appointed.

You will cause such of the [undecipherable] as may appear best calculated for the Business. to [undecipherable] Houses of Rendezvous in proper Places & to[undecipherable] selves to ingage One hundred & thirty able Seamen[undecipherable] the following Terms of Service and rules of [undecipherable] Seamen to engage for twelve Months until [undecipherable] charged. The pay of the able Seamen to [undecipherable]