Know All Men by these presents That We Richard Viscount Howe of the Kingdom of Ireland Vice Admiral of the White Squadron of His Majestys Fleet and Commander in Chief of His Majestys Ships and Vessels employd & to be employd in North America, Sir Peter Parker Knight and William Botham Esqr Commodores with Captains under them (being the Flag Officers employd in North America) or the Majority of us have appointed and do by these Presents appoint Joseph Davies of Chatham in the County of Kent Gentleman our true and Lawfull Attorney and Agent for the Management of all the concern and Interest of us the sd Flag Officers in all such Prize and Prizes Capture and Captures Seizure and Seizures, Recapture and Recaptures as have been Seized and made by all and any of the Ships and Vessels of War employd on the said Station since the 11th day of July last past and also for the management of all our concern and Interest in all such Prize or Prizes, Capture and Captures, Seizure and Seizures, Recapture and Recaptures, as Shall or may be so Seized and made hereafter during the time that the said Viscount Howe shall or may continue in the Chief Command as aforesaid Giving and hereby Granting to our said Attorney and Agent our full Power and Authority to Inventory appraise prosecute & Sell the said Prize and Prizes Capture and Captures Seizure and Seizures their and each of their Cargoes Tackle Apparel Guns & Furniture and to receive recover demand Compound and Distribute as the Law directs the Share thereof to Which We the said Flag Officers are or may be Intitled. And also in like manner to receive recover demand Compound and distribute our Share of the Salvage of such Recapture and Recaptures as have been or shall be made as aforesaid, and generally to do and Act for us ー and for our use and safety as fully and effectually to all intents Whatsoever as we our Selves might or Could do being personally present and Acquittances Releases and other discharges to Make and Grant and one attorney or Agent or More under him to make and Substitute and at pleasure to Revoke; Ratifying and confirming all and Whatsoever our said attorney and agent and his substitute and Substitutes shall Lawfully do or Cause to be done in and about the Premisses by Virtue of these Presents And hereby Allowing our sd Attorney and Agent to deduct & retain for his own use at the Rate of Five pounds P Centum out of the Monies arrising from the Sale of our the said Flag Officers Share of such Prize & Prizes Capture and Captures, Seizure and seizures Recapture and Recaptures as a full Recompence for his care and trouble, and also to retain all the Costs Charges and reasonable expences which he Shall or may be at in prosecuting and Completing our Interest concern and Title in the Premisses.

In Witness whereof we the said Richard Viscount Howe Sir Peter Parker and William Hotham have hereunto Set our hands and Seals the twenty fifth day of April in the Seventeenth year of His Majestys of Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith and so forth and in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven hundred and seventy seven

Signed Sealed and Delivered by the
said Viscount Howe in our Presence
at New York where no-Stamps can be
procured

Jos. Galloway A Serle

Signed Sealed and delivered by the said Sir Peter Parker in our Presence

Toby Caulfield, John Read —

Signed Sealed and delivered by the said William Hotham in our Presence

Na Reynolds W^m Ward — 

[Endorsed] Recd and Registered September the 6th 1777