In Congress, Wednesday. April 3, 1776. : Instructions to the commanders of private ships or vessels of war, which shall have commissions or letters of marque and reprisal, authorising them to make captures of British vessels and cargoes.

Signed: By Congress- [blank] president. "This form was reprinted- and continued to be in use ... certainly as late as 1780; the later editions being signed in ms. by the president of Congress"--Evans 15137. Imprint date based on terms of the presidents of Congress who signed extant copies: NYPL copy signed by Henry Laurens (president- Nov. 1777-Dec. 1778); LC and Rhode Island Historical Society copies signed by John Jay (president- Dec. 1778-Sept. 1779). Not in Evans or Bristol. The third and fourth lines end: vessels- reprisal. In other editions the third and fourth lines end: vessels- them; shall- vessels; war- make. New-York Historical copy signed in manuscript: John Jay; inscribed at head: instructions to commanders of privateers in 1776. References: Journals of the Continental Congress- 104.