At a meeting of the Governor and Council of Safety,
[Lebanon] Monday January 29, [1776]
Cap. [Jonathan] Lester came in fr9m viewing the row-gallies at Philadelphia and also Mr; [Job] Winslow from the same view at Providence and reported the construction &c., and shew'd plans, and were consulting about them &c. forenoon.
P.M. The said builders came in, having consulted a plan of building two of said row-gallies, and considered the same; and agreed, that two to be built, one by said Lester, and one by Winslow, shall be 60 feet keel, 18 feet beam, and 5 feet hold, four inches dead rising. And agreed with them, that they as masterbuilders shall have one dollar per day for themselves, and they employ good workmen at the best and easiest rate they possibly can, and faithfully do and discharge every part of the duty, by their best skill and fidelity.
Cap. Lester moves that he should have some allowance for the use of his yard and tools, and is willing to submit it to our future consideration. And that they may allow their workmen liquor necessary, and as they used to do when they employ'd men for themselves, and that Cap. Lester procure the necessary iron works, and apply as occasion shall be to Col. [Jabez] Huntington and Esq. B. Huntington. And they withdrew.