BE IT REMEMBERED, That it is agreed by and between John Brown of Providence in the Colony of Rhode Island of the one part, and Samuel Ward, Benjamin Franklin, Josiah Bartlet, John Langdon, Robert Morris, and Thomas McKean, Esquires, Members of the Committee of secrecy appointed by the Honourable Continental Congress of the Thirteen united Colonies of North America of the other part. That a Voyage or Voyages Shall be undertaken for the Speedy procuring Thirty Six Tons of Good Gun powder (or if Gun Powder is not to be had then as much Salt Petre with a proportion of 15 lb of Sulphur to every Hundred pounds of salt Petre as will be Sufficient to make that quantity of Gun Powder) One Thousand Stand of Good arms, one Thousand double bridled Gun Locks, Twenty Tons of Lead, and One Thousand Bolts of Russia Duck, ー if the arms are not to be had, their value to be laid out in Good Gun Powder (or Salt Petre & Sulphur) If neither are to be had ー then in Ticklinburgs, Oznabrigs, or Vitreys ー or in Case those are not to be had the neat proceeds to be returned in Gold or Silver That the vessel or Vessels shall be Charterd for the use of the united Colonys aforesaid, the freight to be paid on their return, the Owners runing the risque of the sea and the united Colonies to Insure them against all British Captors ー That Skilful and prudent SuperCargo[es] be Employd by the said John Brown, That five pCent Commission shall be allowed for purchaseing the Cargoes to be Exported, two and a half pCent on the sales thereof in the West Indies or in Europe, and two & a half pCent for purchaseing the returns ー That Twenty Thousand Dollars Continental Currency be advancd to the said John Brown for which he is hereafter to render an Account to the united Colonies, who are to bear the whole risque of the said Adventure ー The said Powder &c is to be put on shore in some safe and Convenient place in the united Colonies Eastward of Chesopeak bay and notice thereof given to a Quorum of the said Committe[e] of Secrecy as soon as possible ー Witness our Hands the Day and Year aforesaid ー

[Endorsed]

Providence Jany 20. 1776

Recd of John Brown Four Thousand Six Hundred & sixty six Dollars & Two thirds which together with Two Thousand Dollars sent to Nantuckett to purchase Oil Make up One Third of the Within sum And I do hereby Ingage to be One third part Consarn'd in the Within Contract & to be Accountable to the secret Committee Accordingly

Nich^o Brown

Dolrs		4666 2/3
1/3 sent p J Waterman		2000
to buy Oil
Dolrs		6666 2/3