Ordered, That the Secretary be directed to lay on the Table the Bill for encouraging the fitting out of Armed Vessels.

The Secretary, agreeable to Order, laid on the Table the Act for encouraging the fitting out armed Vessels.

Upon a Motion, Ordered, That Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, Capt. [Josiah] Batcheler, and Mr; [Edward] Rawson, be a Committee to bring in a Resolve impowering any Person to make Captures of all Vessels within the Predicament of those made liable to be taken by an Act for encouraging the fitting out armed Vessels.

Afternoon

Walter Spooner, Esq; brought down from the honorable Board, a Number of Letters which were found on Board a Vessel late from Cork in Ireland, taken and brought into Beverly;² which were Read and returned.

Upon a Motion, Ordered, That Mr. Gerry go to the honorable Board, and propose their sending the Letters, just communicated, to the American Congress, after the General shall have perused them. Who returned that he had delivered the Message.

The Committee appointed to prepare a Resolve, impowering any Person to make Captures of Vessels in certain Cases, reported. Read and accepted, as follows.

Whereas by a Law of this Colony made in the present Session of the General Court, Intitled an Act for encouraging the fitting out Armed Vessels to defend the Sea-Coast of America, and for erecting a Court to try and condemn all Vessels that shall be found Infesting the same ー it is provided that all Vessels which shall be brought into this Colony, and proved to be the Property of, or any Ways employed by the Enemies of the United American Colonies, or for Supplying the said Enemies, shall with their Appurtenances and Cargoes be deemed forfeited, and disposed of as by said Act is ordered and directed, and no Provision being therein made for Captors not legally commissioned therefor, who in certain Cases ought to meet with all necessary Encouragement.³

Resolved, That when and so often as it shall appear to the Judge of any Court by said Act provided, that any Vessel or Vessels which shall be by such Court condemned, have been taken by any Inhabitants of the United American Colonies, within thirty Leagues of the American Shore; in that Case it shall be lawful, and such Judge is hereby authorized and directed to award to the Captors the amount of what such Vessel or Vessels with their Cargoes and Appurtenances shall produce, after deducting the Charges of Tryal and Condemnation; and also the Sheriff's Fees for Sale at public Auction, in the same Manner as would have been done, had such Captors been commissioned with Letters of Marque and Reprisal, by any of the Colonies aforesaid.

[Endorsed] In Council, November 11, 1775. Read and concurred.