Sir

We the Subscribers all of Warren in the State of Rhode Island &c. Merchts. request your Honor to grant a Commission or Letters of Marque and Reprisal to Benjamin Pierce Commander of the Sloop United States of which we are Owners. She is burthened about Fifty six Tons carries Eight Carriage Guns Three Pounders and Eight Swivel Guns, manned with Fifty-five Men and fitted with a suitable Quantity of Muskets Blunderbusses, Pistols Cutlasses, Powder, Ball and other Military Stores. She hath on board Twenty four barrels Beef and Pork ー Three Thousand Pounds weight of Bread, with some Flour, Rice, Beans, Pottatoes, &c John Johnson is First Lieutenant, Peleg Heath Second Lieutenant, and Wing Master.

We are with great Respect Sir [&c.]

Joseph Belcher