The Committee appointed the 17th instant to confer with Commodore Manley & others have attended that Service & Report That they apprehend, that if the General Court do comply with the Proposals contained in the annexed paper 2 and the Fleet Sail under such Directions of the Board of War as this Court may Order their time of Sailing may then be kept a Secret & very essential Service to the United States be effected. ー The Proposals annexed are from the Owners and Agents of several private Ships of War of this Town & the Court will Judge of their propriety. The Board of War were present at the Conference; & the Committee are of Opinion that if the Court agree to make up a Fleet, it will be best to join all the Strength obtainable within a given time, whether in this Port or any other port within this State ー all which is Submitted
Moses Gill P order
[Endorsed] In Council April 21. 1777 Jno Avery Dpy Secy
Read & sent down
1. Mass. Arch., vol. 182, 356.
2. An interesting crossed out note at the bottom of the paper reads: "The Owners are willing the Vessels should go upon their first Terms, the Men are not, they expect that they are put on the Continental Establishment for the time being & will not proceed on any other terms," Mass. Arch., vol. 182, 353-55.
