State of Massachusetts Bay To the Honoble the Council of said State — The Petition of Isaac Sears & Paschal N. Smith humbly Sheweth. —

That your Petitioners, with Samuel Broome & Co of the State of Connecticut, & others are Owners of the Ship called the Mars, burthen Two hundred & eighty Tons, Commanded by Thomas Truxtun, William Bull first Lieutenant, William Pinnock ー second Lieutenant, mounted with 22 Carriage Guns, & twelve Swivels, Navigated with 150 Men; ー That Your Petitioners have provided said Ship with Twenty five hundred weight of Powder, 250 Barrels of Provisions, & in all other respects have compleatly fitted said Ship for a Six Months Cruise against the Enemies of the United States of America ー Your Petitioners therefore pray your Honors will grant a Commission for said Ship, agreeable to the Resolve of the Honoble the Continental Congress, & the Acts of this State, & give leave for her departure on a Cruise as abovemention'd, & your Petitioners as in Duty bound shall ever Pray. —

Boston May 24th 1777

[Endorsed] In Council May 24. 1777 Read & Ordered that the Prayer of the Petition be granted and that a Comission be issued out to Thomas Truxton as Comander of the above mentioned Ship ー he complying with the Resolves of Congress ー

Jn^o Avery Dpy Secy