To the Honble The Council Board for the Massachusetts State

The Petition of John Allan

Humbly Sheweth —

That your Petitioner having been Appointed Agent for the Eastern Indians; by the Honble Continental Congress,² is necessiated to purchase a small Vessel of about Thirty Tons; in Order to Negociate the business with said Indians, and Convey Intelligence from time to time, to the Continent; which Vessel it will be requisite shoud have some Artillery & a Greater Number of men than usual, for her convenience & Safety.

That your petitioner being determined to pursue Every plan of Oeconomy & prevent the Great Ex pence which of ten Arises on such business. Desirous to Distress the Enemy; to procure Necessarys which might Come at a far Less Expence than Coud be Gote on the Continent. The said Vessell not so liable to fall into the hands of the Enemy, she being Calculated to Run into small Rivers & Cricks free of danger from Ships of War.

And as it is Probable the said Vessell may often be Idle. Or it might happen that a sudden Oppy woud present itself to distress the Enemy, which it is presumd coud not be done Legally without some Authority from the S[t]ates.

Therefore your Petitioner prays that your Honours woud Grant a Commission to said Vessell As a Privateer And your Petitioner In duty bound Will Ever pray

Boston February 25th 1777 

[Endorsed] In Council Feby 26t 1777 Read & committed to the Committee appointed to prepare a Message to the Honble House at their next Session —

Jn^o Avery Dpy Secy