Know all Men by these Presents, That We, John Skimmer, Thos Jackson and John Bradford Are held and firmly bound to the Honble John Hancock Esqr President of the Congress of the United Colonies of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties of New-Castle, Kent, and Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina, and Georgia in the Sum of to be paid to the said John Hancock Esqr or his certain Attorney, Executors, Administrators, or Assigns, in Trust for the Use of the said United Colonies: To which Payment well and truly to be done, We do bind Ourselves, our Heirs, Executors, and Administrators jointly and severally, firmly by these Presents. Sealed with our Seals, dated this twelfth Day of March in the Year of our Lord 1777 ー

The Condition of this Obligation is such, That if the Above-bounden John Skimmer who is Commander of the Schooner called the Lee belonging to the United States of America mounting Ten Carriage Guns, and navigated by Fifty four Men, and who hath applied for a Commission or Letters of Marque and Reprisal, to arm, equip, and set forth to Sea, the said Schoonr as a Continental Ship of War, and to make Captures of British Vessels and Cargoes, shall not exceed or transgress the Powers and Authorities which shall be contained in the said Commission, but shall in all Things observe and conduct himself, and govern his Crew, by and according to the same, and certain Instructions therewith to be delivered, and such other Instructions as may hereafter be given to him; and shall make Reparation for all Damages sustained by any Misconduct or unwarrantable Proceedings of Himself or the Officers or Crew of the said Schooner Then this Obligation shall be void, or else remain in Force.