To the Honorable the Council & the Honble House of Representatives of the State of Massachusetts Bay.
The Representation of the Committee of Correspondence, Inspection and Safety of Salem
Sheweth

That Capt Richard Valpey, an Inhabitant of Yarmouth in the Province of Nova Scotia, but formerly of this Town; hath made application to this Committee, setting forth, that being at Halifax in said Province, in May last, he was applied to by the following Persons Vizt Capt Habakkuk Bowditch, Messrs Jonathen Payson, Charles Calahan and Andrew Millet, In­ habitants of this State, and who were then Prisoners at that Place, requesting him, that he would devise some means by which their escape from their Captivity might be effected, as they were then in the most necessitous and distressed circumstances and Situation; that he accordingly procured a Vessell and engaged to bring the said Persons from Halifax which he accordingly did, altho' at the Risque of his Vessell as well as his liberty, as he must unavoidably have forfeited both, had he been detected in the execution of his Plan, by the Government at Halifax; that in pursuance of this Scheme, he was proceeding to St John's in the Bay of Fundy, where he had engaged to land the said Persons, but while on his Passage he was informed, that the Place would be in the hands of our Enemies before he could Arrive there; in consequence of which, he put into Cape Porceau; when his Passengers beforementioned, got a Vessell to carry them to Newbury,

That after this, the said Valpey was proceeding to St John's having on board two hogsheads of Rum, two hogsheads of Molasses, one Piece of checked and two Pieces of white Linnen and two barrels of Pork, with which he was going to Purchase a load of Staves, for the use of Persons residing at Yarmouth, that while he was at St John's a Party of Men from Machias, in this State, came and took his Vessell and Goods into Possession, and made himself and his Crew Prisoners: and carried them all to Machias, where they still hold the said Vessell and Goods.

This Committee would therefore intercede with the Honorable Court in behalf of the said Valpey, and beg leave to acquaint the Honble Court, that they are well assured, that the Inhabitants of that part of Nova Scotia, of which the said Valpey is an Inhabitant are almost to a Man friendly to the Interest of these States, that they frequently have assisted our Country­ men, who have been Prisoners and carried in there, in making their Escape, and when any of our Vessells have been forced into that Place, they have afforded all the assistance and Relief which was in their Power, to the Crews: particularly when the Brigantine Cabot was drove in there by the Milford, this same Capt Valpey entertained and supported, Capt Olney, Lieut Knight, and about thirty others of the Cabot's Crew, three days and Nights, in his own house and at his own Expence: as will appear by a Certificate signed by the said Lieut Knight, herewith transmitted:² And as the Cartel between this State and Nova Scotia is now stopped and nowayforthe Subjects of this State, who may be carriedPrisoners into thatProvince,to be released, but by the assistance of such Persons there,whose humanity and friendly disposition towards these States may induce toaffordsuchassistance; the Committee therefore fear, that unless a stop is put to making Captures of, or Seizing any Vessell which may be employed, in endeavouring to effect the Escape of any such Prisoners, it will entirely prevent and discourage any of the Inhabitants of that Province (who otherwisewouldbe disposed to do it) from giving any assistance to any of our Peopleinfuture.

This Committee would therefore Pray that the said Capt Valpey may have his Vessell and Goods, ordered to be restored to him, or otherwise relieved as the Honble Court in their Wisdom shall think fit and proper.

The Committee would also beg leave to recommend him to the favour of the Government, that he may have some allowance made him for his Expence in entertaining the Captain and Part of the Crew of the Brigantine as mentioned before —

By order of the Committee

Committee Room 
Salem June 30th 1777

[Endorsed] In Council July 1st 1777 Read & Ordered That Henry Gard­ ner Esqr with such as the Hon'ble House shall join be a Committee to consider the above Representation and report what is best to be done thereon Sent down for Concurrence

Jn° Avery Dpy Secy

In the House of Representatives July 1st 1777

Read &concurrd & Mr Wendell & Mr Hunt are joined

RT Paine Spkr pr temp —