The Petition of Andrew Cab bot of Salem Humbly Shews, that your, Petitioner has a Ship called the Rambler, which He begs your Honors would give Liberty for to Sail in Ballast from this State to Carolina, there to load with Rice and then proceed to some Neutral Port in Europe for Salt, and in case Salt cannot be procured, the Amount of a Cargo shall be brought to this State, in Woolins Sutable for the Army, which This State shall have the Preferance in the Sale of, and your Petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray.

Boston 5th Feby 1777

[Endorsed] In Council Feby 17th 1777 Read & thereupon Ordered that Richard Derby & Daniel Hopkins Esqrs be a Committee to consider the above Petition & report what is best to be done thereon —

John Avery Dpy Secy

In Council Feb. 18th 1777 read and orderd the Prayer of the above Petition be granted —