George Washington signed appointment, dated January 20, 1776 to Daniel Waters, putting him in command of the ''armed schooner Lee'' in the service of the United Colonies, written from Head Quarters at Cambridge, countersigned by Stephen Moylan. In November 1775 the vessel, now known as Lee, took her first prize, the sloop Polly, 12 1/4'' x 7 7/8''. During the course of the war numerous ships found a similar fate including the brig Nancy, the Concord, Rainbow, Susannah, and Stokesby. Stephan Moylan held several positions in the Continental army and is credited with the earliest use of ''United States of America'' in a letter he wrote in January of 1776. Provenance: The Estate of Robert S. Knox, New Oxford, Pennsylvania.

Light creases and staining.