Sir,

At the Request of the Council of War I now make Application to your Excellency for the Loan of Eight Continental Commissions or Letters of Marque and Reprisal. — 

The Ports of this State being blocked up by the Enemy the Secretary informs me that he thought he had a sufficient Number for the Summer.—But the Success that our small Cruizers have met with in the Sound¹ hath induced so many Persons to fit out armed Boats that all the Commissions have been taken up and several more are now wanted.—As part of the Shores of this State lie most conveniently for annoying the Enemy your Compliance with this Request will be serving the common Cause as well as oblige this State, and Your Excellency's [&c.]