[Boston] Saturday April 26th 1777
In the House of Representatives Whereas the Ships of our Enemies are daily making Captures of Vessels belonging to the Subjects of the United States & of their Allies & Friends, even within sight of our very Towns ー which, if not prevented by a Superiour Force, may ruin the Trade of the said Inhabitants &c and be of the worst Consequences to the Interest of the United States at large ー and whereas the Owners of numbers of Armed Vessels belonging to the Inhabitants of this & some other of the United States now ready for the Sea are willing to go & Act for Twenty five days from their Sailing in Concert with the Continental Frigates the Hancock, commanded by Capt John Manly, and the Boston, commanded by Capt Hector McNeil, which Frigates are represented to this House as also ready for Sea, provided Capt John Manly be furnished by this State with the Sum of four Hundred pounds ー and the said Capt Hector McNeil the sum of One thousand six hundred & thirty five pounds eighteen Shillings & eleven pence to enable them to put the said Ships to Sea, the said Manly and McNeil being accountable for the several Sums by them received, Therefore it is
Resolved that there be paid out of the Treasury of this State to Capt John Manly for the purpose aforesaid the Sum of Four Hundred pounds; — And to Capt Hector McNeil for the purpose aforesaid the said Sum of one Thousand six hundred & thirty five pounds eighteen Shillings & eleven pence ー They being accountable for the same respectively.2
In Council Read and Concurred
Consented to by fifteen of the Council
In the House of Representatives ー The Owners & Agents of the Privateers hereafter mentioned expect that this State will Insure their Vessels at the full amount of their Outsetts from all Dangers of Seas, & Enemy while under the Command of the Officer Appointed by the Court.
The Commanders & Privates of the Private Armed Vessels expect in Case of Accident to be upon the same footing exactly that the Captain's Manly & McNeil & their men are, as to pensions & one months pay ー The Owners expect the Ammunition expended in time of Action on this Cruize shall be made good by this State.
If any Vessel should be parted by accident from the Fleet, & Should take a prize or prizes before the Expiration of the Time. agreed on, the prizes so taken shall be equally divided amongst the whole Fleet as tho' they had all been in Company.
The Vessells shall Cruize under Comand of Captain Manly or Commanding Officer of the Continental Ships for the term of twenty five days from the day of Sailing, unless the Commander shall come into port and discharge them sooner
The State shall pay a Months pay to
The American Tartar |
24 Guns |
200 Men |
Capt [John] Grimes |
General Mifflin |
20 do |
200 do |
Capt [William] Day |
Portsmouth |
20 do |
180 do |
Capt [Robert] Parker |
Brig Hawk [Hawke] |
14 |
80 do |
Capt [Jonathan] Oak[e]s |
Sloop Satisfaction |
14 |
100 |
Capt [John] Wheelwright |
Schooner America |
14 |
100 |
Capt [Daniel] McNeil[l] |
Schooner Active |
10 |
65 |
Capt [Andrew] Gardner |
Schooner Speedwell |
8 |
60 |
Capt [Jonathan] Greely |
Schooner Buckram |
6 |
45 |
Capt [William] Morony |
Upon their producing a Certificate of their having performed the agreement from the Commanding Officer of this Fleet.
All other Private Vessels that can be got ready may proceed and shall be under all the Restrictions of the aforementioned Vessels, and shall . be intitled to all and every Advantage that they are, as to their being Insured and made whole in Case of Accident Damage or Loss, and the men the same Gratuity for the loss of Limbs or Lives, that the Continental Vessels and Men are, only they shall not be intitled to any months pay.
The Owners shall give Bonds and the Masters be on Oath to comply with these terms and not to leave the Fleet, but through absolute Necessity untill the Time is expired.
It is agreed that these Vessels shall be ready to sail by the first of May Wind and Weather permiting
And the Officers of the above Vessels are permited to Inlist any men that Offer, they not belonging to the Navy or Army or any French Ship or Vessel that has or shall arrive in this State.
In the House of Representatives
The foregoing Agreement made with the Owners and Commanders of the Ships and Vessels of War within mentioned by a Comittee of this Court appointed for the purpose was read and consented to ー And the said Committee are hereby impowered and directed to sign the same in behalf of this State. —
In Council Read & Concurred
Consented to by fifteen of the Council