To the Honourable the Council of the Colony of
the Massachusetts Bay in New England
the Petition of Lemuel Williams of Dartmouth
​Humbly Shews

that your Petitioner together with Several other Persons his Partner have at their own Expence fitted an armed Sloop Called the Warren for the Purpose of Makeing reprisals on the Enemies of the united Colonies of North America agreeable to the laws and Regulations of this Colony which vessel is now near Ready for Sailing your Petitioner Humbly Prays that John Philips of Dartmouth may be Commissioned Capt of the Said armed Sloop and your Petitioner as in Duty Bound Shall Ever pray

[Dartmouth] July 5th 1776

Said Sloop is 60 Tons Burthen Carrys Six Guns & fifty men ー