The Pennsylvania evening post — Philadelphia, Pa., 1776-04-11 00:00:00, page 1

In CONGRESS, April 3,1776.
RESOLVED, That blank cc^miffionsTor private
flips of war and letters of marque and reprisal,
signed by the President, be sent to the General A. r
femblies, Conventions, and Councils or -Committees
of Safety of the United Colonies, to be by them filled up and
delivered to the persons intending to ft out such private fltips
of war for making captures of British vessels and cargoes, who
mail apply for the fame and execute the bonds, which shall
-be sent with the said commissions, which bonds mail be re
turned to the Congress. .
Resolved, That every person intending to set forth and
out a private ship or vessel of war, and applying for a com
mission or letters of marque and reprisal for that purpose, shall
produce a writing fubferjbed by him containing the name and
tonnage or burthen of the ship or vessel,. the number of her
guns with their weight of metal, the name and place of resi
dence of the owner or owners, the names of the commander
and other officers, the numberof the crew, and the quantity
of provisions and warlike fores ; which writing shall be de
livered to the Secretary of Congress, or to the Clerk of the
Hoafe of Representatives, Convention er Council or Com
mittee of Safety of the Colony in which the fhipor vessel shall
be, to be transmitted to the said Secretary, and shall be re
gistered by him. And that the Commander of the ship or
vessel, before the commission or letters of marque and reprisal
may be granted, shall, together with fufficient lureties, seal and
deliver a bond in the penalty of five thousand dollars, if the
vessel be of one hundred tons or under, or ten thoufancidol
lars if of a greater burthen, payable to the President of the
Congress, in trust for the use of the United Colonies, with
condition in the form following, to wit.
" The condition of this obligation is such, that if the
above bounden who is Commander of the
called belonging to of in
the Colony of mounting carriage guns, and
navigated by men, and who hath applied for a com
mission or letters of marque and reprisal to arm, equip and
set forth to lea.the said as a private ship of war, ana to
make captures of British vessels and cargoes, shall not exceed
or transgress the powers and authorities which shall be con
tained in the said commission, but shall in all things observe
and conduct himfelf, and govern his crew by and according
to the fame, and certain inilru&ions therewith to be delivered,
and such other inuruftions as may hereafter be given to him ;
and shall make reparation for all damages sustained by any
mifeondua or unwarrantable proceedings of himfelf or the
officers or crew of the said then this obligation shall b~
void, or else remain in force.
“ Sealed and delivered in the presence of."
Which bond shall be lodged with the said Secretary of
Congress.
INSTRUCTIONS to the commanders of private ships or
vessels of war, which shall have commilhoifts or letters
The PENNSYLVANIA EVENING POST.
Vol. lI.J
Price only Pico.Coffers. Published every Puejday, Pburfday, and Saturday Evenings.
THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 1776.
181
of marqwe and reprifaj, authorizing them to make cap
tures of British vessels and cargoes.
Finft, You may by force of arms attack and subdue, and
take all ships and other vessels belonging to the inhabitants of
Grcat-Britain cn the high fees, or between high water and
dow water marks, except ffiips and vessels bringing person,,
who intend to fettle and reside in the United Colonies, or
bringing arms, ammunition or warlike stores to the said Co
lonies for the use of such inhabitants thereof as are friends to
the American cause, which you null fuffer to pass unmolested,
the Commander thereof permitting a peaceable fcarch and
giving fatisfa&ory information of the contents of the lading
and destinations of the voyages.
Secondly, You may, by force of arms, attack, subdue and
take ships and other vessels whatsoever carrying soldiers, arms,
gunpowder, ammunition, provisions, or any other contra
band goods, to any of the British armies or ships of wrr em
ployed against these colonies.
Thirdly, You ihall bring such ships and vessels as you shall
take with their guns, rigging, tackle, apparel, furniture and
ladings, to some convenient port or ports of the United Co
lonies, that proceedings may thereupon be had in due form
before the courts which are or shall be there appointed to
hear and determine causes civil and maritime.
Fourthly, You, or one of your chief officers, shall bring
or feed the matter and pilot, or one or more principal person
or persons of the company of every flip or vessel by you
taken, as soon after the capture as may be, to the judge or
judges of fush court as aforefaid, to be examined upon oath
and make answer to the interrogatories, which may be pro
pounded touching the interest or property of the ship or vessel
and her lading, and at the fame time you shall deliver, or
cause to be delivered, to the judge or judges ill passes, sea
briefs, charter parties, bills of lading, cockets, letters and
other documents and writings found on board, proving the
said papers by the affidavit of yourfelf or of some other perlon,
present at the capture, to be produced as they were received,
without fraud, addition, fubdudion or embezzlement.
Fifthly, You shall keep and preserve every ship or vessel and
I cargo by you taken, until they shall by sentence of a court pro
perly authorifed be adjudged lawful prize, not felling, spoiling,
waiting or diminishing the lame, or breaking the bulk thereof,
nor buffering any such thing to be done.
Sixthly, If you or any of your officers or crew shall in cold
blood kill or maim, or by torture or otherwise cruelly, in
humanly, and contrary to common usage and the practice of
civilized nations in war, treat any person or persons sur
prised in the ship or vessel you shall take, the offender shall
be severely punilhed.
Seventhly, You shall by all convenient opportunities fend
to Congress written accounts of the captures you (hall make
with the number and names of the captives, copies of your
journal from time to time, and intelligence of what may occur
or be difeovered concerning, the designs of the enemy and the
destinations, motions and operations of their fleets and
armies.
[Num. 191.