[Watertown] Friday ー July 26th 1776
Recommendation from Capt Simeon Sampson of Mr Daniel Adams & Sarni Higgins as 1st & 2d Lieutenants of the Brigantine Independence, Read & Ordered that said Adams & Higgins be Comissionated Accordingly ー
On Motion Ordered, that the Comissary Genl be directed to deliver out of the Colony Magazine & Stores, for the use of the Colony Sloops Republic & Freedom, Unto Capt John Foster Williams Comander of the Republic, & Capt John Clouston, Comander of the Freedom, or their Order the following Articles ー Vizt. ー
| 12 |
Cannon ー |
100 |
lb Muskett Balls ー |
| 14 |
Swivels & Cohorn's |
50 |
lb Match rope ー |
| 30 |
Musketts ー |
14 |
Powder Horns ー |
| 20 |
Pr. Pistol's ー |
25 |
Barrels Pork |
| 20 |
Tomahawks ー |
25 |
Barrels Beef ー |
| 40 |
Lances ー |
90 |
lb Bread ー |
| 1 |
Ton Shott suitable for Cannon |
10 |
Firkins Butter or Oil in Lieu thereof ー |
| 3 |
..0..0 Grape Shott ー |
20 |
Barrels of Peas or Beans ー |
Bonds being given by Simeon Sampson, a Comission was Issued out to him as Commander of the Brigantine Independence, fitted out by the State of the Massachusetts Bay to make Captures on Our Enemies Vessels. ー
The Comitte Appointed to prepare Instructions for Capt Sampson, reported a Draft, which was read and Accepted & Signed by the President, and is as follows Vizt
Capt Simeon Sampson ー
The Brig Independence under your Command being in all respects Equipped in Warlike Manner, and being also well & properly Man'd so as to proceed on a Cruize, You therefore are Directed !mediately to proceed on a Cruize not only against our Unatural Enemies, but also for the Protection of the Trade of the United States, and you are directed to range the Coast of the Province of Main, laying between the River Pisscataqua & Machias, in Order to Clear That Coast of any of the Enemies Crusiers that may be Infesting the same, and from thence proceed as far Southward as the Lattitude thirty four North, and not further West than the Shoals of Nantuckett, nor further East than the Island of Sable, on the Coast of Nova Scotia, allways using every Necessary Precaution to prevent the Brig under your Command from falling into the hands of our Enemies, And whereas you have received a Comission by force of Arms, to attack Seize & take, on the High Seas, all the Ships and Other Vessels, belongg to the Inhabitants of Great Brittain, or Others Infesting to Sea Coasts of this Continent, you are therefore punctually to follow the Instructions now deliverd you, for regulating your Conduct in this Matter, and in all things Conduct Yourself Consistent with the Trust reposed in You ー
In the Names & by Order of the Council Richard Derby Junr Presidt ー
The Board Agreeable to the Assignment of this Morning for the Appointment of Agents for the Agents, Armed Vessels have no[w] come to the choice of the following Gentlemen, Vizt ー
William Sever Esqr appointed Agent for the Southern District ー
Richard Derby Junr Esqr for the Middle District ー
Timothy Parsons Esqr for the Eastern District ー
On Motion Ordered, that Saml Holton and Benja Austin Esqrs be a Comittee to prepare an Order for the Appointment, of the Above Gentlemen as Agents, and to direct them in their Duty ー
Ordered that William Sever Esqr be and hereby is Appointed Agent for all Captures made by any Vessel or Otherways in which this State is any way Interested or Concerned, whose Authority as Agent shall be Limitted to, & Confined within the Limits of the Middle District [sic Southern District] for holding the Court of Captures as set forth by an act of this State, for the trying & Condemning of all Vessels as Aforesaid, and to do & transact all that is Necessary to be done as Agent in behalf of this State, bringing to Tryal before the proper Court & if Condemned to dispose of all such Vessels & Cargo's aforesaid, with Power Substituteing one or more Agents or Attorneys for the purpose aforesaid, & them again to revoke, & tis further Ordered the said William Sever Esqr give Bond with Suretys to the Treasurer of this State faithfully to Discharge this trust reposed in Him ー Similar orders were Given the two other Gentlemen Appointed Agents for the Middle & Eastern Districts ー
On a Certificate from Henry Gardner Esqr it appearing that Jeremiah Obrian Comdr of the Sloop Machias Liberty, has given Bond Agreeable to the Resolves of General Court, his Commission as Commander of Sd Sloop fitted out by the State was deliverd to him as also his Instructions ー
