In Congress. ー The Delegates 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: To all to whom these presents shall come, send greeting: Know ye,
That we have granted, and by these presents do grant, license and authority to John Adams, Mariner, commander of the sloop called Chance, 2 of the burden of forty-five tons, or thereabouts, belonging to Joseph Dean, Philip Moore & Co., of Philadelphia, in the Cou.nty of Philadelphia, mounting four guns, and navigated with forty-five men, to fit out and set forth the said sloop in a warlike manner, and by and with the said sloop, and the crew thereof, by force of arms, to attack, seize, and take the ships and other vessels belonging to the inhabitants of Great Britain, or any of them, with their tackle, apparel, furniture, and loading, on the high seas, or between high water and low water mark, and to bring the same into some convenient Ports in the Colonies, in order that the Courts, which are or shall be appointed to hear and determine causes, civil and maritime, may proceed in due form to condemn the said captures, if they be judged lawful prizes; the said Joseph Dean & Co. having given bond, with sufficient security, that nothing be done by said commander, or any of the officers, mariners, or company thereof, contrary to, or inconsistent with the usage and customs of civilized nations, and the instructions, (a copy of which is herewith delivered to him.) And we will and require all our officers whatever to give succour and assistance to the said commander in the premises. This commission shall continue in force until the Congress shall issue orders to the contrary.
Dated at Philadelphia, April 11, 1776.
By order of Congress: John Hancock, President. John Adams.
