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 order of Congress, [blank].
This edition, not recorded in Evans or Bristol, was filmed as the second copy of Shipton & Mooney 43190; the copy filmed is annotated as a true copy of instructions received with a commission from the governor of Rhode Island, June 9, 1779, by order of John Jay, president.
"This form was reprinted, and continued to be in use, as instructions given with commissions, certainly as late as 1780; the later editions being signed in ms. by the president of Congress"--Evans 15137.
Samuel Huntington, named as president of Congress on LC copy, served between September 1779 and July 1781.
The third and fourth lines end: shall, vessels. In other editions the third and fourth lines end: vessels, them; war, make; vessels, reprisal.
Shipton & Mooney 43190
Journals of the Continental Congress, 103
LC copy annotated at end of text: State of Rhode Island & Providence, 21 March 1780. By Congress, Sam Huntington president. I acknowledge the above to be a true copy of the instructions delivered me this day with my commission as commander of the arm'd sloop George, a private vessel of war. Samuel Wardwell. Annotated on verso: Instructions to Samuel Wardwell 1780.
Also available in digital form on the Library of Congress Web site.