I the within Named Clark Gayton do Certify and return that the within named Benjamin Bell before the Obtaining and issuing of the within Writ was taken by one of his Majestys Ships of War under my Command as he the said Benjamin Bell was coming out of the Port of Cape Nicholas 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 Vessell he was Master and which said Benjamin Bell had at the said Port of Cape Nicholas Mole discharged the Cargo which he had Laden at the Colony of North Carolina in North America aforesaid and cleared out for one of the British Islands in the West Indies and was then on his Voyage in the said Sloop or Vessell with a Cargo of Sugar and Salt which he had laden and taken on Board the said Sloop or Vessell at Cape Nicholas Mole aforesaid to and for the said Colony of North Carolina And that I have taken and detained the said Benjamin Bell 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 the Commissioners 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 Captain and Detention of the said Benjamin Bell whose Body at this Day and place in the within Writ mentioned I have ready as by the within Writ I am required ー

Filed 25th January 1776 ²