37. AMERICAN PRIVATEER'S COMMISSION Excellent and quite rare manuscript D.S., 1p. folio, Portsmouth, NH, May 30, 1778, a "True Copy" of a Letter of Marque headed "In Congress" stating that delegates to Congress had granted: "William Tuck, Esqr. Mariner, Commanedr of the Brig't called the Bennington. Mounting Eighteen Carriage Guns...to fit out and set forth in a Warlike Manner and...by force of Arms to Attack subdue and take all Ships or to her Vessels carrying Soldiers, Arms, Gunpowder, or any other Contraband Goods to any of the British Armies or Ships of War..." Signed by a scribe on behalf of Continental Congress President Henry Laurens and Secretary Charles Thomson, boldly signed by Tuck at bottom. Folds, some toning in places, still very good. Tuck likely was the mariner of the same name listed as being from Manchester-on-Sea, Massachusetts. Tuck's ship was captured by the British and recaptured in a daring attack on the British prize crew in Nova Scotia, with Tuck returning in glory to America. $600-800