It was Moved, That the Committee appointed by the Court to build Ten armed Sloops, be directed to suspend the setting up more than Half that Number, if in their Judgment they think there is no prospect of procuring Rigging, Iron or other Materials.

And the question being put, it passed in the affirmative.

And Mr. Batcheldor was directed to bring in a Resolve accordingly.

Afternoon.

The Committee appointed to bring in a Resolve to suspend the building one

Half of the Ten armed Sloops voted by this Court to be built, reported.

Read, and accepted.

Resolved, That the Committee lately appointed to build, rig, and fix ten armed Sloops be, and there hereby are empowered to suspend contracting for more than five of that Number, until upon making full Enquiry they shall have a probable Prospect of obtaining necessary Materials for rigging and equipping the same, and instead thereof said Committee are hereby also authorised to purchase, rig, and fix five suitable Vessels already built for the Purpose of Defence, of any other Denomination and Dimensions than those specified in a former Resolve, according to their best Discretion. And said Committee are further impowered to import at the Risque and Expence of this Colony, any Materials they shall find necessary for rigging, and fixing any of the aforesaid Vessels, as they shall judge best, not infringing upon any Resolve of the Continental Congress.