The following message was Sent to the House of Assembly.
M^r Speaker & Gentlemen

Application has been made to this board by M^r Wereat¹ the Commissioner of trade Setting forth that the Brigantine Recovery belonging to the State is now nearly ready for Sea, and that there is only a quantity of Rice provided for her Cargo, and Submitting to our consideration whether it would not be of advantage to the State to put on board also a few Casks of Indigo.— We beg leave to recommend this matter to your honorable House& must observe that the addition of a few Casks of Indigo will add considerably to the value of the cargo & consequently produce larger returns in Goods, which at the present time especially becomes very necessary, and will add nothing to the outfit and voyage of the Vessel— If the matter Strikes your honorable house in the Same point of view you will be pleased to order a quantity of Indigo to be purchased & put on board this Vessel at the public Cost and for the public, benefit. And we further beg leave to Send you herewith a Letter from Commodore Bowen² recommending Several matters which appear to us of high utility to this State

Council Chamber
January 23^d 1778