Colony of the
Massacusetts Bay |
 |
The Major Part of the Council |
To Robert Coc[h]ran Esqr Greeting ー
By Virtue of a Resolve of the great & general Court of this Colony, pass'd the sixteenth instant, You are hereby permitted & impowered to inlist a Number of Seamen for the Defence of the sister Colony of So Carolina, not exceeding three hundred Men, out of the Inhabitants of this Government, except such as are employ'd in the Continental Army, in the armed Vessells fitted out either by this Colony or by any of the Inhabitants thereof, or in the forces raised by this Colony for the Defence of the Sea Coasts, any of whom you are Not permitted to inlist; for which this shall be your sufficient Warrant ー
Given under our hands, at the Council Chamber in Watertown, the 17th Day of Feby A Domini 1776 ー By their Honors' Command
