The following is an installment of “On This Day,” a series celebrating America’s 250th anniversary by following the actions of Gen. George Washington, the Continental Congress, and the men and women whose bravery and sacrifice led up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The American patriots may lack sufficient funds to build a strong navy, but that doesn’t stop them from finding ways to achieve that goal. On April 3, 1776, the Second Continental Congress grants permission to privateers to attack any and all British ships. 

The bill, signed by Second Continental Congress president John Hancock, issued “INSTRUCTIONS........

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