1From John Adams to Moses Brown, 30 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
As you are under sailing orders for the west Indies & as I have received a petition from several merchants that you may be permitted to take under your convoy certain merchants vessels bound to the West Indies, & there is not time to wait for further orders from the Secy of the Navy; you are hereby permitted to take under your convoy any merchant vessel that may be ready to sail when you shall...