Whereas, the town council of the town of Newport, presented a memorial to this Assembly, setting forth the distressed situation of the town, occasioned by the withholding from the ministerial fleet, stationed in the harbor of Newport, their usual supplies of fresh beef, beer, &c.; in consequence of which, the ferry boats, market boats, fish boats and wood vessels, are prevented from coming to the town with their usual supplies of provisions and fuel, for the use of the inhabitants; by means, whereof, together with a stagnation of trade, they are now exposed to all those dreadful consequences which must inevitably arise through the want of the common necessaries of life.

And thereupon prayed this Assembly to take into their most serious consideration, the truly affecting state of that once happy town, and to grant them such relief in the premises, as shall be thought proper, consistently with the common interest; and this Assembly taking the subject matter of the said memorial into their most serious consideration, ー

It is voted and resolved, that the town of Newport may, for the safety thereof, as far as may consist with the general safety, negotiate with Capt. Wallace, for the supplying the ships there with beef, beer, &c., as heretofore, upon his stipulating that the ferry boats, wood boats, with their passengers, &c., pass and repass unmolested, with the common supplies for the town, of the common and usual necessaries of life.

That the commander in chief upon the said island, be instructed to permit such negotiation, and regulate the supplies for the said ships.

It is voted and resolved, that the Honorable Nicholas Cooke, Esq., Ambrose Page, Esq.; James Arnold, Jr., Esq.; Jonathan Randall, Esq., John Sayles, Jr., Esq., and Henry Ward, Esq.; Metcalfe Bowler, Joseph Anthony, William Bradford, Joshua Babcock, Jdhn Jenckes, John Smith, John Mathewson, John Dexter, Job Olney, Stephen Whipple, William Greene, Paul Mumford and John Potter Esqrs., or any seven of them, together with all such members of the General Assembly, as shall be present, be, and they are hereby, appointed a committee to act during the recess of the General Assembly, upon any sudden important emergency, with full power to take all prudent and necessary measures for the safety of the United Colonies in general, and this colony, in particular.

That they be empowered to employ the two armed vessels, and the whole force of the colony, in such manner as they shall think the public interest and safety shall require; and that this act continue in force untill the next session of the Assembly.

Whereas, the Viper sloop of war, took the sloop Polly, Samuel Barnes, master, belonging to New York, bound from Antigua to new York, and put a midshipman as prize master, with several hands, on board, with orders to proceed with the said vessel and cargo to Boston; and also put on board Isaac Eslick, of Bristol, in this colony, as pilot of said sloop; promising the said Eslick, that in case he piloted the said sloop faithfully into the harbor of Boston, they would deliver up to him a boat taken from him, with the goods on board her, then in the possession of one of the enemy's ships.

But the said Eslick, with two of the men belonging to said sloop, who were left on board, having with great address brought the said sloop into Seaconnet River, so that she, with her cargo, were recovered out of the hands of the enemy, and taken into the possession and care of General Eseck Hopkins, and thereby the said Isaac Eslick hath lost all hopes of recovering his said boat and goods; and, as in justice and equity, satisfaction and encouragement, in such cases, ought to be made and given, ー

It is voted and resolved, that the sum of $250, be paid to the said Isaac Eslick, and $50, to each of the other persons, instrumental in saving the said sloop, and cargo out of the enemy's hands, out of the value of the said sloop and cargo, in proportion to the properties of the several owners.

It is voted and resolved, that Ambrose Page, Esq.; be requested to procure the two row gallies, belonging to the colony, to be immediately completed fit for service; and that he draw out of the general treasury, the sum of £400, lawful money, for the purpose, aforesaid.

It is voted and resolved, with the consent of Mr. John Brown, that the colony will purchase the sloop Katy, as she now is, with her boats, stores and appurtenances, at the rate of $1,250.

That the said John Brown be allowed the hire of said sloop, at the price agreed upon, from the 12th day of June last, to this day, out of the general treasury.

And that in case the said sloop be taken or lost, before this day, that then the said John Brown shall receive out of the general treasury the said $1,250, with interest from the said 12th day of June, in full compensation, without any allowance for hire.

It is voted and resolved, that there be the same number of officers, and of the same kind, appointed for the row-gallies, as are appointed for the sloop Katy; that the officers and men of the row-gallies receive the same wages as are allowed to the officers and men of the sloop Washington.

That Ambrose Page, Esq., be empowered to enter the men for the said row-gallies, to pay them one month's pay in advance, and to equip and fit them immediately for service; and that the officers of the row-gallies, not chosen, be appointed by Brigadier General Hopkins, and be commissioned, accordingly.