[Watertown] Thursday, February 8, 1776.
A Bill for encouraging the fixing out of armed Vessels to defend the Sea Coast of America, and for erecting a Court to try and condemn all Vessels that shall be found infesting the same:
Read a first Time, and ordered to be read again at 12 o'Clock, this Day.
Afternoon.
The Bill for encouraging the fixing out of arm'd Vessels, &c. Read a second Time, and committed to Mr.Speaker, Mr. [William] Story, and Colonel [Azor] Orne.
Resolved, That to-Morrow 11 o'Clock A.M. be assigned for a third reading of the said Bill.
A Return from Cape-Elizabeth, of a Schooner proposed to be fitted out as a Privateer, and the number of Men who would engage in that Service, with a Petition of Isaac Battle and Samuel Nichols, praying that said Schooner may be fitted out for that purpose.
Read and committed to the Committee appointed by the Court to build Ten armed Sloops. And the said Committee are impowered to purchase, instead of building, Vessels as are suitable for the Purpose.
