The Trade of this Port depending so much upon good Pilots, and the Ships of war in the Harbour having already one or more of the Branch Pilots in their Custody, and the Captn of the Scorpion exacted from Thomas Bridges (another of the sd Pilots,) his Parole of Honor to return on board the Said Ship, with an intention as it is conjectured, not only to deprive the good People of this Colony of all Benefit of Trade, but to pilot our Enemies up the River when it shall be thought expedient to distroy the property of the Inhabitants; It is the Opinion of this Committee, that all the pilots of this River, be immediately secured, and that Col. [James] Moore be requested to take them into his Custody, And it is Resolved, that as soon as the said Pilots shall be safely secured, that Notice be given to the Captn of the Scorpion, that the said Thomas Bridges is detained by Order of this Committee.