Sir; In Consequence of a letter from the president of Massachusetts Bay dated the 13 Instant to the President of the Congress which was by Congress referrd to this Committee; We have determined to Comply with the wishes of your assembly by Ordering the Frigate Commanded by Capt [Hector] McNeill and that by Captain [Thomas] Thompson² of newhampshire to be fitted immediately and proced on a Cruize on your Coasts in hopes of taking the milford Frigate or of driving her or any other Enemy away from those Seasー

We therefore Authorize you to accept the Profferd assistance of the said assembly or any Committee they appoint to assist in fitting equipping arming & manning th[is] Frigate you are also to Accept their offer of Twenty four nine Pounders (cannon) and to Cooperate with them in getting this Ship to Sea with the utmost Expedition, and we agree to reim- burse the state of Massachusetts Bay for all Just & necessary Expences they incurr in Effecting this Bussiness we Shall in due time also cause their Cannon to be returned unless they think proper to make Sale of them for the use of this ship and in that case we woud choose to purchase them provided their are Good Guns quite suitabl for the service

You will please to purchase a proper number of swivell Guns, good musketts, Blunderbusses, cutlasses Pikes & other arms & instruments Suitable for this Ship you will apply to your state for powder ー Ball, muskett shott other military Stores to be paid or returned by the Congress and in Short as this Ship will instantly go into Danger we hope nothing will be Neglected that ought to be done in fitting & manning her ー We are very Sincerely [&c.]

P S if Mr [John] Langdon³ applys to you Mr [John] Bradford⁴ or to your state for assistance in fitting out the Frigate under his care we hope it will be granted & we shall re[i]mburse all Just Expences & Charges ー the intended Enterprize should Be Kept As secret as possible-

[Endorsed] the above is a True Coppy

Thomas Cushing Junr