Know all Men by these presents, That we Benjamin G[or]ham Mariner, Isaiah Doane Mercht, Michael Nickols [Micah Nichols] Cooper, of Cohasset, in the County of Suffolk, Sturgis G[or]ham of Barnstable in the County of Barnstable Merchant, all in the colony of the Massachusetts bay, are holden & stand firmly bound & oblig'd unto the Treasurer & Receiver General, of the Colony aforesaid, in the full & just Sum of One thousand pounds, to be paid unto the said Treasurer & Receiver General, or to his Successor in said Office, to the true payment whereof, we bind ourselves, our Heirs, Executors & administrators, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents; Seal'd with our Seals the eighth day of February Anno Domini 1776. ー

The Condition of the afore written Obligation is such, That whereas the said Benja Gorham hath, on the Day of the date hereof received a Commission to command an armed Vessel, called the Lyzard burthen about Thirty two Tons, to make reprisals of all armed & Other Vessels, that shall be found supplying the Enemy, or acting counter to a Law of this Colony, entitled, "An Act for encouraging the fixing out of armed Vessels to defend the Sea Coasts of America, and for erecting a Court to try & condemn all Vessels that shall be found infesting the same." If therefore the said Benjamin Gorham shall and do in and by all things, well and truly observe and fullfil such Instructions, as he shall receive from the Council of this Colony, and shall in all respects conform himself to the Directions given in & by the act aforesaid, then the aforewritten obligation to be void, otherwise to remain in full force.