The Committee on the Petition of Jeremiah Obrian, brought from the Hon. Board the 2d. current, reported. Read, and re-committed.

The Committee on the Petition of Jeremiah Obrian, again reported.

Read and accepted.

In the House of Representatives Feby 7th 1776 ー

Whereas it is of Importance that theEnemies of the[se] Colonies should as far as possible be deprived of Necessary Supplys whereby they may be render'd the less capable of distressing these and the other Colonies aforesaid, and to effect this purpose it is Expedient, and necessary Armed Vessels should be fitted out and Employed to prevent supplies getting into the hands of our said Enemies ー Therefore Resolved, That the Committee of Correspondance, Inspection, & Safety of Newbury Port with Jeremiah Obrian be a Committee to prepare, and in all respects Equip, and Man with Fifty Men each including Officers the Sloop Machias Liberty, and Schooner Diligent now lying at Newbury Port, and that the said Committee recommend such proper persons to the Honble Council as may be necessary for Officers of said Vessels for the purposes above mentioned and when said Vessels are prepared as afore[said] the Officers belonging to said Vessels be Commissionated by and follow such directions as they shall receive from time to time from the Council of this Colony

And it is further Resolved, That the following sums set against the several Officers, and Men Engaged in the above Service. shall be paid them upon their faithfully discharging the duties assigned them ー

And for further Encouragement to the said Officers & Seamen ー It is Resolved, That they shall be Intituled to One Third the proceeds of all Captures that shall be by them made, and finally Condemned agreeable to a Law of this Colony made, & passed in the present Session of the General Court Intitled "An Act for fixing out Armed Vessels, and for the Trial, and Condemnation of Vessels, that have been Employed in aiding, and Assisting our Enemies" and in such proportions as is allowed the Officers, and Seamen of the Armed Vessels fitted out on Account of the United Colonies by his Excellency General Washington.

A

Sent up for Concurrence
J Warren Spkr

[Endorsed] In Council Feby 8th 1776
Read & concurred with the amendment at A vizt at A insert "The above establishment to continue untill the last Day of December next, unless this Court should think it expedient to discharge them sooner" ー sent down for Concurrence

Perez Morton D Secry

In the House of Representatives Febry 17th 1776
Read and concurr[e]d ー Sent up

William Cooper Speaker Pro Tem

[In Council] Consented to

Afternoon ²

Benjamin Lincoln, Esq; brought down a Letter from Mr. Nathaniel Shaw, Jun. dated New-London, Feb: 5, 1776, relative to the Arrival of Capt. [Joseph] Packwood with Powder.

Read and committed to the Committee appointed by a Resolve of this Court, which passed the House the 10th of January last, to settle the Accounts remaining unsettled on the Books of the late Committee of Supplies, and to take Care of several Cargoes, &c. And the Committee are directed to take Order with respect to the Sum left in St.Eustatia and Martinico, by Capt. Packwood to purchase Powder.

And David Cheever, Esq; is hereby appointed on said Committee, in the Room of Col. [Elisha] Porter.

Michael Farley, Esq; brought down a Bill for encouraging the fixing out of armed Vessels, &c. and of repealing a former Act for that Purpose.