The Committee of both Houses, appointed to consider what is proper to be done with those Prisoners brot into this State by armd Vessels, and others, who are not Prisoners of War;
Report the following Resolves,
Viz Resolvd that the Committee of Safety, Correspondance &c in the several Maritime Towns in this State do, as soon as may be, make a Return to the Council of all Prisoners that now are, or that may be, from time to time, bro't into their several! Towns, by any armd Ves.sel, or others; who are not Prisoners of war, and who shall not inlist into the Sea Service of any of the united American States, or on board any armed Vessel fitted out by private Adventurers: And that the Council be, and they hereby are impowered to remove all such Prisoners to such inland Towns, not laying on any public Post Road, as they shall think proper. —
And it is further resolvd, that the Selectmen of each Town, to which such Prisoners shall be destind be, and they hereby are impowerd and directed to put out all such Prisoners, who are not able, and actually do not maintain themselves, to labour for their Support: and if any Prisoner, so put under the Care and Direction of the sd Select Men, by Order of Council, shall refuse to labour, the said Select Men shall make return thereof to the Council, who are hereby impowerd to commit him or them to such Goals as they shall think proper, till their further Order. —
In Council Novr 6t 1776
Read & Sent down
John Avery Dpy Secy.
In the House of Represente Novr 7 1776
Read & accepted Sent up for Concurrence
T Dalton Spkr pro Tem
In Council Novr 7th 1776 —
Read, & Concurred —
John Avery Dpy Secy