In the House of Representatives, April 11, 1776. [Massachusetts]
RESOLVED, That the following Officers and Seamen be appointed for each of the Vessels now building by this Colony and the Pay per Month allowed them, agreeable to the Sums affixed viz.
Captain, Eight Pounds,
Lieutenant, Five Pounds eight Shillings,
Second-Lieutenant, Five Pounds,
Master, Four Pounds,
Mate, Three Pounds,
Boatswain, Three Pounds,
Boatswain’s Mate, Two Pounds four Shillings,
Steward, Two Pound eight Shillings,
Gunner, Two Pounds eight Shillings,
Gunner’s Mate, Two Pounds four Shillings,
Carpenter, Three Pounds,
Carpenter’s Mate, Two Pounds four Shillings,
Surgeon, Seven Pounds,
Surgeon’s Mate, Four Pounds,
Quarter-Master, and Master at Arms, Two Pounds ten Shillings,
Pilot, Two Pounds eighteen Shillings,
Cook, Two Pounds four Shillings,
Drummer, Two Pounds, four Shillings,
Sixteen Boys, at tweny Shillings each,
Eighty Seamen and Marines, at forty Shillings each.
All of which Officers, Seamen and Marines, shall furnish themselves with a good effective Fire-Arm, cartouch-Box, Cutlass, and Blanket.
And be it further Resolved, That the Captains be appointed as soon as may be; which Captains, when chosen, shall return a List of Persons suitable for the other Officers, and shall proceed to inlist the Number of Seamen, Marines and Boys proposed. And for further Encouragement to said Officers, Seamen and Marines; –It is Resolved, That they shall be entitled to one Third Part of the Proceeds of all Captures that shall be by them made, and finally condemned, to be distributed in such a Manner as this Court shall hereafter determine. And the said Vessels shall be armed and mounted with at least twelve Carriage Guns, all of one Size, viz. Six Pounders and with a proper Number of Swivels and Cohorns: And the honorable Council are hereby desired to commission them to cruise against all British Property, agreeable to the late Resolves of the honorable Continental Congress.
Resolved, That for further Encouragement to Seamen to inlist into the Colony Sea-Service, one Month’s advance Wages be paid to the said Seamen, at the Time of their passing Muster; and also that their Wages be paid at the End of every three Months, or as soon afterwards as they shall arrive in some Port of this Colony.
Resolved, That the Officers of said Vessels be, and hereby are allowed to inlist Men out of the Companies raised for the Defence of the Sea-Coasts; and the Officers of said Companies are hereby directed to permit any of their Men to inlist into the Colony and Continental Sea-Service only, and to inlist others to suppply Vacancies occasioned thereby, as soon as may be.
Resolved, That the Committee appointed to build and fix out Armed Vessels, or any one of them, muster the Men raised for the Armed Vessels of this Colony, and pay them their advanced Wages, and receive out of the Treasury, a Sum agreeable to an Abstract to be returned for that Purpose.
Resolved, That such Men as shall be inlisted for the Sea-Service of this Colony, and are not able to furnish themselves with Arms, agreeable to a former Resolve of this Court, be furnished with the same by this Colony; and that twelve Shillings be deducted from the Wages of each Man so furnished.
Resolved, That the Uniform of the Officers be Green and White, and that they furnish themselves accordingly; and the Colours be a white Flag, with a green Pine Tree, and an Inscription, “APPEAL TO HEAVEN.”
Resolved, That the Commanders of said Vessels receive their Orders and Instructions from a Committee hereafter to be appointed by this Court, and to be conducted as secretly as possible.
Resolved, That the Rations or Provisions allowed to the Officers, be the same as is or shall be allowed to the Officers of the same Rank in the Continental Service.
Resolved, That the Committee to be appointed as aforesaid, furnish each of the Commanders of the Armed Vessels of this Colony, with Instructions to regulate their Conduct, agreeable to the Resolves of this Court.
Resolved, That one Third Part of the Monies (after the Charges of Condemnation are paid) arising from the Captures that may be made by any of the Armed Vessels fitted out on Account of this Colony, and shall be finally condemens in any Court of Justice erected for the Trial and Condemnation of such Captures, shall be distributed among the Officers, Seamen and Marines, . . .
Sent up for Concurrence.
JAMES WARREN, Speaker,
In Council April 27, 1776.
Read and concurr’d.
PEREZ MORTON, Dep. Sec’ry.
Consented to,
JAMES OTIS
WILLIAM SEVER
BENJAMIN GREENLEAF
WALTER SPOONER
CALEB CUSHING
BENJAMIN CHADBOURN
JOHN WHETCOMB
JAMES PRESCOTT
ELDAD TAYLOR
MICHAEL FARLEY
JOSEPH PALMER
SAMUEL HOLTEN
BENJAMIN WHITE
MOSES GILL
JEDEDIAH FOSTER
A true Copy. Attes. PEREZ MORTON, De. Sec”ry.
Eighteenth-Century Reading Room 