To the Honle the Council of the State of Massachusetts Bay ー

The Petition of Pierre Riphaigne humbly sheweth, that he in Nov. last imported into the State of Virginia three tons of Powder, nine six pounder, and other military Stores; your Petitioner intended to have purchasd a Vessel, in that part of the Country, returnd to the west Indies again, for the purpose of farther Importation, but not being able to purchase a Vessel there and your Petitioner being advisd to proced to New England has purchasd one; but the Embargo laid by your honrs ー prevents your Petitioner proceding on his intended Voyage ー Your Petitioner therefore prays your Honrs to permit him to load the Snow Elesabeth, at Kennebuck, with Lumber and proced on her Voyag to the west Indies, and from thence to Virginia with a Load of Salt ー

and yr Petitioner further prays your Honrs ー to permit Henry Richards, now a Prisoner in Salem Goal, to go with your Petitioner as Chief Mate ー and your Petitioner as in Duty bound will ever pray ー

N. B. your Petitioner proposes to navigate sd Vessel with as many French Men as he can obtain, and has engagd several already ー

[Endorsed] In Council March 4th 1777 ー read & orderd that the Prayer of the within Petition be granted ー