In Congress. The delegates of the United States of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina, and Georgia, to all unto whom these presents shall come, send greeting

know ye, that we have granted, and by these presents do grant, licence and authority to [blank] mariner, commander of the [blank] ... to fit out and set forth the said [blank] in a warlike manner, and by and with the said [blank] and the crew thereof ... to attack, subdue and take all ships and other vessels whatsoever carrying soldiers, arms ... or any other contraband goods to any of the British armies or ships of war employed against these United States ...