To the Honourable the Council of the Colony of the Massachusetts-Bay ー The petition of Bartholomew Putnam, Joseph Sprague, Henry Rust & Joshua Ward junr all of Salem ー

Humble sheweth,

That they have at their own expence fixed out and equipped for the defence of America, a small schooner called the Dolphin, burthened about seventeen tons, and appointed Richard Masury of said Salem mariner to be commander thereof ー Your petitioners therefore pray your honours to commission with letters of marque & reprisal the said Richard Masury, whom they recommend as a person suitably qualified therefor. And as in duty bound shall pray &c

Salem Decr 1. 1775.

[Endorsed] In Council Decr 8th 1775
Read & ordered, that the Prayer of the above Petition be granted, and that the said Richard Masury be commissionated for the purpose aforesaid, on his giving Bond to the Colony Treasurer for the faithful performance of his Duty therein, agreable to the Act prescribing the same

Perez Morton Dpy Secry