Colony of the Massachusetts Bay

The Major Part of the Council of the Massachusetts Bay in New England,

To Greeting

You being appointed to take the command of the armed Sloop called the        of the burthen of        Tons or thereabouts, mounting carriage Guns, and navigated by        men, Fitted out at the expence and for the service of this Colony,

By virtue of the power vested in us, We do by these Presents (reposing special trust and confidence in your ability, courage and good conduct) commission you accordingly, and give you the said        full power, with such persons as you shall engage to your assistance, by force of arms to attack, seize and take the ships and other vessels belonging to the inhabitants of Great Britain, or any of theA, with their Tackle, Apparel, Furniture and Ladings, on the high seas, or between high water and low water marks, and to bring the same to some convenient Port in this Colony in order that the Courts, which have been or shall be hereafter appointed to hear and determine maritime causes, may proceed in due form to condemn the said Captures, if they be adjudged lawful Prize; the said        having given Bond, to the Treasurer of this Colony, with sufficient Sureties, that nothing be done by the said        or any of the officers, Mariners or Company of the said Vessel contrary to, or inconsistent with the usages & customs of Nations, and the instructions that are or may be given to him by order of the Great and General Court, And we will and require all our officers to give succour and assistance to the said        in the Premises. this Commission to continue in force until farther orders. ー

Given under our Hands and the Seal of the said Colony at        the        day of        in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy [----]

[Endorsed] In Council May 9th 1776

Ordered, that the foregoing be the form of the Commission to be is[s]ued to the Commanders of the armed Vessells to be fixed out by this Colony ー

[Bond]

Know all Men by these presents that we        Stand firmly bound to Henry Gardner Esqr Treasurer and Receiver Genl of the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay in the Sum of Two thousand Pounds lawful Money to be paid to the Said Treasurer or his Su[ccessor] in said office to the True payment whereof we bind ourselves our heirs Executors and Administrators Jointly and Severally firmly by these presents Sealed with our Seals the        Day of

The Condition of this Obligation is such that if the above bounden        who is Commander of the        Called        belonging to the said Colony of the Massachusetts Bay and fitted out by order of the Great and Genl Court to Cruise on the Sea Coasts of America for the defence of American Liberties and to make Captures of such Vessells as shall be Supplying the Enemies thereof with provisions and other Stores or otherwise infesting the Sea Coasts and for making Captures of British Vessells & Cargoes.

Now if the said        Shall in all things observe and Conduct himself and govern his Crew attending to the Resolves of the Genl American Congress and according to the Acts & orders of the Great & Genl Court of this Colony Relative to armed Vessells fitted out for the purpose aforesaid and follow such instructions as he may Receive in pursuance of his Commission the foregoing obligation shall be void or Else remain in force ー

[Endorsed] In Council May 10th Ordered that the above be the form of the Bonds to be given by the Commanders of the Colony armed Vessells, previous to their being Commissionated ー

Perez Morton D Secry