Richard Derby Junr of Salem Takes Leave to Represent To This Honourable House That some Time in February Last he was appointed one of the Committe for Building armed vessells — That he has attended that service & has Compleatly Built, armed & fixed the Sloop Tirannicide & Brigantine Massachusetts, both which vessels were for some time Employed as Cruisers against the Enemys of the united States.
That some time in July last He Received an Order from the Court Directing him to alter the sloop Tirannicide into a Brigantine, which he has Effected, & the said Brigantine has now been out on a Cruise more than two months, and
He Further Represents that he has Received out of the Publick Treasury the sum of £ 3192 — in order to Enable him to Effect the Bussiness aforesaid, for which he prays to be Called to account, and he further Represents, that he has all his accounts Respecting the Bussiness aforesaid now in Town Ready for Examination, & Prays the Honble House to appoint a Committee for that purpose, in Order that he may be Enabled to settle his said accounts with the State, & that he may be Authorised to Receive the Ballance which may be found due to him, all which is Respectfully Submitted, by Your Hons [&c.]
Boston 1 Jany 1777 —
