To the Honble Council and house of Representatives in general Court assembled

The petition of the select men, and committees of correspondence and inspection of the town of Falmouth, in the County of Barnstable, in behalf of the inhabitants of sd Town sheweth ー

That in the Island called Nashon, one of the Elizabeths Islands is a very commodious harbour, known by the name of Tarpaulin Cove, much used by all vessels passing thro' the Vineyard sound, and where a small ship of war, and two or three tenders being placed might intercept and even destroy all the unarmed vessels passing thro' the sd sound, and all vessels in Buzzards Bay, which will include the coast from Cape Cod to Rhode Island; and may also from thence be able to make discents upon the coast and take off stock and provisions for the supply of our enemies; ー For the preventing of which there has been hitherto a company of men, raised by the wisdom of our government and stationed there which has greatly molested the ministerial ships in harbouring in sd Tarpaulin Cove, and hindered their landing on sd Nashon Island; ー And we humbly conceive that if a company of men be continued at sd Cove with a number of canon planted at sd harbour they would render it a very uncomfortable station for the ministerial ships, and keep them at a proper distance, and deter them from landing and taking off the stock which is very valuable on sd Island, and also be very beneficial to the trade of the country and a great security to us on this exposed sea coast ー

Likewise that some suitable man in this town may be appointed to muster sd company ー

Furthermore your petitioners shew, That in the west end of this sd Town of Falmouth there is a harbour called Woods Hole, very convenient for the Rendezvous of privateers or armed vessels, where they will be safe from the attacks of the enemies ships of war: And as they have taken our vessels and employed them in their service, for carrying stock and provisions, to our great grief and mortification, taken forceably from us and our neighbors, and transported it, before our eyes, for the supply of our enemies and oppressors in Boston; ー And in your great wisdom, if you should see fit to allow us two privateers, or armed vessels to defend our sea coasts, and to take their. ships and transports, and such of our own vessels, as they have wrested from us ー Therefore Hoping the honble court will take these things into your consideration, and provide for the security of this much exposed town & sea coast, as your approved wisdom shall direct; And your petitioners shall ever pray &c ー

Falmouth Decr 11th 1775

Jos Palmer		Committee of Inspection	Bart Bassett		Committee of Correspond[ence]
Samuel Fish			Job Parker
Daniel Batles			Nathll Shiverick
Timo Crocker		Selectmen	Noah Davis
Nathll Shiverick