In Councill [Watertown] August 29, 1776.
As it may often hapen that the armed vessels in the service and pay of this State may meet & be called to act in conjunction ー and as fatal consequences might insue should a contest arise at such times, with whom lay the first command. For the Prevention whereof it is ordered that Capt Daniel Souther of the Brig Massachusetts be the first Captain of the Armed vessels in the pay of this State & that Capt Simeon Sampson be second Capt Jno Fisk third, Capt Richd Welden fourth, Capt John Foster Williams, fifth, and Capt John Clouston be the sixth, and that all Captains of Armed Vessells hereafter appointed take Rank according to the Dates of their Commissions unless otherwise ordered by this Board,
In the Name & pr Order of Council Walter Spooner Prest
1. Mass. Arch., vol. 165, 171.
2. Sampson commanded the brig Independence; Fisk, the sloop Tyrannicide; Welden, the brig Rising Empire; Williams, the sloop Republic; and Clouston, the sloop Freedom.
