[Watertown] Wednesday October 9th 1776.
Letter from Committee of Correspondence &c Newbury Port setting forth that Capt George Evans in the Brig Necessity was sent into said Port by the privateer Hancock Capt Wingate Newman that the Owners of said privateer have Discharged Capt Evans and his Brig and desiring directions whether said Capt Evans shall unload & dispose of his Cargo and whether be permitted afterwards to Load with any produce that may be Shipped from hence to Foreign parts &c2
On Motion Ordered That Thomas Cushing and Samuel Holton Esqrs be a Committee to examine the Acts relative to Armed Vessels to know whether the Board has a right to grant Commissions to privateers that shall be fitted out by this State.
On Motion Ordered That Daniel Hopkins Esqr be a Committee to propose a draft of a Commission for Armed Vessels fitted out by this State.
1. Mass. Arch., vol. 19, 263-65, 266.
2. Ibid., vol. 165, 324, the Necessity was a Bermuda vessel. The Council allowed Evans to dispose of her cargo of salt, no lasses and limes, and to load with local articles.
