To the Hon'ble Council for the State of Massachusetts Bay

Adam Helme in behalf of Adam Babcock Esqr humbly Sheweth, that the said Babcock is now loading a Brigantine at Dartmouth in the State aforesaid by Order & on Account of Congress as by Contract may be seen; which Brigantine it is thought necessary to Arm in some Degree. Your Honors are therefore requested to dispose of to (the said Babcock) for the purpose aforesaid a pair of small Cannon three Pounders belonging to this State which are now at Dartmouth aforesaid and entirely useless at present

Watertown Octr 9, 1776

As the Honble Council with respect to the above Cannon I would propose to their Honors the depositing in the Hands of Mr Leonard Jarvis of Dartmouth (in whose care they were left by Thomas Durfey Esqr[)] a pair of larger Cannon (six pounders) as security for the above three Poundders until their Honors shall think proper to receive pay for them or until Mr Babcock can replace them with a pair of the same size

Adam Helme

[Endorsed] State of Massachusetts Bay Council Chamber Octr 9, 1776

It being represented to this Board that this State have two Cannon, three pounders, at Dartmouth, which Adam Helme has may be disposed of to him or will leave two other Cannon, Six pounders, in the Room thereof untill he shall replace the two, three pounders ー Ordered that Mr Leonard Jarvis (or such Persons under whose care the said Cannon are placed) be desired to deliver Mr Adam Helme the Two Cannon, three pounders on his delivering the two Cannon Six pounders, provided they are sound. the two Cannon so left to be subject to the Orders & Use of this State till the other two Cannon are returned or paid for at the Option of this Boardー