Morris, Robert, 1734-1806 [Appointment of Samuel Chew as a naval captain]

Signed by Continental Congressmen Morris, Thomas Burke, Abraham Clark, Philip Livingston, Henry Marchant, Roger Sherman, and Nicholas Van Dyke, who appoint Samuel Chew as a Captain in the Continental Navy. Instructs Chew to depart immediately for New London, Connecticut, to assume command of the ship Resistance. Relates that Nathan Shaw, a naval agent in New London, will assist Chew in fitting and manning the vessel. Discuss payment and provisions for the vessel's voyage. Instructs Chew to immediately sail with intent to intercept British merchant and transport ships, and "to take, Sink, Burn, or Destroy as many of their vessels of every kind as may be in your power." Orders Chew to send all prizes acquired from other ships to safe colonial ports. Order Chew to "preserve strict discipline on board your vessel ... and you will treat any Prisoners you may take with humanity." Requires Chew to make monthly returns of the state of the Resistance while in port, and to submit monthly returns and lists of every person on board the ship to the Navy Board in Boston. Contains two post scripts. The first relates that blank commissions have been transmitted to Mr. [Dishon?], so Chew fill in the names of his officers. The second post script authorizes Chew to obtain provisions from foreign ports. All seven men sign twice: at the end of the letter and underneath the second post script.