Charles Chauncy, Esq, brought down a Letter from the Committee of Correspondence of the Town of Marblehead, relative to the Capture of a Vessel belonging to New Providence, and a State of Facts reported thereon by a Committee from the honourable Board, viz

The Committee appointed to take into Consideration the Letter from the Committee of Correspondence of Marblehead, beg Leave to report Facts:

That by the Log Book it appears, that the schooner Industry (being the Schooner mentioned in said Letter) Francis Butler; Master, sailed from Boston for New-Providence, July 24, 1775; arrived at [New] Providence, August 25; sailed again from [New] Providence for Boston, September 6, and came into Marblehead, September 27, 1775. And by the best Accounts we can at present obtain, she has the following Cargo, viz.

About one Hundred and Fifty Turtle (one Hundred and fifty to one Hundred and eighty, as the Mate says)

Nineteen Barrels of Limes.

One Thousand four Hundred Lemmons (two Thousand as the Master says)

Two Thousand one Hundred Oranges (twelve Hundred as the Master says)

Cash, three or four Hundred Dollars, and thirty or forty number'd Chests or Packages opened.

The Clearance Papers are for Salem, but the Log Book says for Boston. Capt. Butler says, that he made Signal of Distress, but our Boats would not speak with him. The Master told the Mate, as was said to the Captain's Face, "That it was a bad Affair, being in our hands," and was angry about the Delivery of the Log Book. The Master says, that he was fired at in the Bay, near the Light-House. He says, that he would have run the Vessel upon the Rocks, rather than have falled into our Hands; but says, he was bound to Salem.

Josiah Nottage, Junr. Mate, says, That the Permit or Pass, from the Admiral at Boston, was to go to New-Providence, and return to Boston; but that in the Harbour, they took the pass from Butler, and gave a Receipt for it. Says, that she was bound to Salem; that Lewis Gray, had about thirty or forty Dollars on Board, and the Captain about three or four Hundred Dollars. That he expected a Man of War in Marblehead harbom:; spoke with no Armed Vessel in the Bay; heard several Guns, but does not know whether any were fired at them or not. The Captain says, that he was fired at by a Brig and Tender, in the Bay; that he (the Captain) had both a Pass and Permit ー but the Pass was taken from him, and a receipt given, but had it not about him; one Hundred and eighty Pieces of Eight, belonging to Capt. Daniel Martin, in Boston, and a little Cash belonging to himself.

In Council, September 29, 1775. Read and accepted; and thereupon, Ordered, That Charles Chauncy, Esq; and Joseph Palmer Esq; with such as the honorable House shall join, be a Committee to take the foregoing Matter under Consideration, and report what is proper to be done with the said Vessel and Cargo.

Read and concurr'd; and Col. Orne, Mr. Gerry, and Mr. Sullivan are joined.

[AFTERNOON]

In the House of Representatives

Sept 30. 1775

Ordered, That Coll Orne, Mr Gerry and Mr Sullivan, with such as the Hon Board may join, be a Committee to consider the circumstances of the Capture of a Brigantine bound from Quebec to Boston, and carried into Cape Ann, and report what is proper to be done thereon ー

Sent up for Concurrence
J Warren Spkr

In Council Octor 2d 1775

Read & concurred & Charles Chauncy & Joseph Palmer Esqrs are joined ー