To the Honorable & Council and House of Representatives of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, in General Court Assembld July 19, 1775.

Humbly sheweth your Petitioner, that he with the eastern Regiment in the County of Lincoln, on hearing that a Man of War with sundry other Vessels were come to the eastern Shore of said County, in order to supply the Regulars with Wood and Provisions, went down in order to prevent their Design, and had the good Fortune to take five Vessels in that Employ, which have since been disposed of by your Honors; one of which Vessels your honors have thot fit to put into my Care, a Schooner of about 70 Tons, well found and might easily be fitted & rendered very suitable to defend the Sea Coast. your Petitioner would further inform your Honors, that said Regiment, before they destroyed Fort Pownal, took into their Possession a Quantity of Cannon, Ball & Langrage, the Property of this Colony, which is now on board said Schooner. Your Petitioner therefore prays your Honors, that as the eastern Shore of this Colony is most exposed to the Damage of the Enemy, he may be allowed to fitt said Schooner for a Privateer, make use of said Ball & Langrage taken from Fort Pownall, enlist Thirty Men to serve on board said Vessel, and use & improve said Vessel for the Defence of the Sea Coasts in the eastern Part of this Colony, and your Petitioner as in Duty bound shall ever pray &c

your Petitioner further humbly prays he may [be] allowed 100lb Powder to be used on board said Vessel for the Purpose aforsaid