Navy Board May [30, 1777]
Capt Stephen Seymour Sir/.
The Commissioners of the Navy desire that you will Imediately Open a House of Rendez[vous] under the Direction of a Proper Officer, and Endeavour to Enlist as many Seamen as you possibly can, to serve on board of the Brigg Notre Dame, for six Months, or Longer, and for the Encouragement of such Seamen as may Enlist for that Time, you may Engage to Advance One Months pay to Each, And to Every man that will Enlist for Twelve Months or during the Warr, Ten Pounds Bounty over and above the Months pay. ー Pray be as frugal as possible in the Expence and particularly Carefull that you do not Enlist any mah belonging to the Continental Frigate 2 or to Either of the Regements in the Continental or State Service
Edward Blake first Commisr
1. Salley, ed., South Carolina Navy Board, 66.
2. Randolph, Captain Nicholas Biddle.