I the within named Clark Gayton do certify and return that the within named Robert Sands before the Obtaining and issuing the within Writ was taken by one of his Majesty's Ships of War under my Command as he the said Robert Sands was comeing out of the Port of Cape Nicolas Mole in the Island of Hispaniola in a Sloop or Vessell belonging to the Colony of New York in North America of which Sloop or Vessel he was Master and which said Robert Sands had in the said Port of Cape Nicholas Mole discharged a Cargo which he had laden at New York aforesaid and Cleared out for one of the British Islands in the West Indies and was then on his return in the said Sloop or Vessell with a Cargo of Molasses and Coffee which he had laden and taken on Board the said Sloop or Vessell at Cape Nicholas Mole aforesaid to and for the Colony of Georgia in North America aforesaid. And that I have taken and detained the said Robert Sands by Vertue and in pursuance of his Majesty's late Proclamation dated the Twenty Third Day of August last past and His Majesty's Orders and Instructions Signified to me by the Commisioners for Executing the Office of Lord High Admiral of Great Britain &c. and by their Secretary acting under their Authority And this is the Cause of the Cap[tion] and Detention of the said Robert Sands whose Body at the Day and place in the within Writ mentioned I have ready as by the within Writ I am required ー

Filed the 19th January 1776 ー