IN CONGRESS.
The DELEGATES of the UNITED STATES OF New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay,
Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jers[ey, Pen]nsylvania, the Counties of New-Castle, Kent
and Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, N[orth-Car]olina, South-Carolina, and Georgia, TO
Michael Bowyer [torn, illegible]
WE, reposing especial Trust and Conf[idence in your] Patriotism, Valour, Conduct and Fidelity,
DO, by these Presents, constitute [and appoint y]ou to be a Captain in the
12th. Regiment from the State [of Virg]inia
in the Army of the United States, raised for the Defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every [host]ile Invasion thereof. You are the[refore] carefully and diligently to disch[arge] the Duty of a
Captain by doing and performing all manner of Things thereunto belonging. And we do strictly
charge and require all Officers and Soldiers under your Command, to be obedient to your Orders as a
Capt[ain.] And you are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions from Time to
Time, as you sh[a]ll receive from this or a future Congress of the United State[s], or Committee of Congress,
for that Purpos[e] appointed, or Commander in Chief for the Time being of the Army of the United States,
or any other yo[ur] superior Officer, according to th[e] [Rules] and Discipline of War, in Pursuance of the
Trust reposed i[n yo]u. This Commission to continue in Force until revoked by this or a future Congress. Dated at the [torn, illegible] Day of September AD. 1776. Seventy Six.
[By] Order of the [Congress]
John Ha[ncock PRESIDENT.]
[AT]TEST [Chas Thomson Secy