[H. of R.] Watertown Wednesday June 5th 1776.
A Memorial of Samuel Barrett, Perez Morton, Benja Kent, Benja Hitchborn, and Henry Bromfield a Committee chosen by, and appearing in Behalf of the Town of Boston Setting forth ー
That whereas the Late General Court, did, on application, made by said Town for certain Hulks to be sunk at convenient Places in the Harbor and whereas the Town, apprehensive of some capital Inconveniencies, from such a Measure (whch did in part occur to them, at the Time of said Application; but from the then defence less state of the Town they were constrained to Hazard) did, at a Meeting on the 28th May 1776, enter into a further consideration of the subject, and unanimously Voted 'That the Sinking Hulks in the Harbor, would be very inexpedient at this Time &c &c.' And, setting forth the many disadvantages that wou'd accrue to the Town in particular, and the Colony in General in keeping the Channel open &c ー And 'humbly requesting, that for these reasons, the hon ble Court would so far reconsider their Vote upon this Subject, as to give orders, that the Sinking the said Hulks may be suspended for the present.'
Read and the House assign'd Tuesday next at ten oClock in the fore noon for consideration of the same ー And Order'd, That the sinking of Hulks be suspended in the mean time.
On the Memorial of the Town of Boston
Resolved, That the Hulks which have been prepared by Order of the General Court, to be sunk in the Harbour of Boston, be in Every respect fit ted for that purpose,(A) and that the Sinking said Hulks, as aforesaid be suspended untill further Order of this Court, any Order, or Resolve to the Contrary Notwithstanding.(B)
In Council Read, & concurred with the following Amendments ー viz:
At A insert, ["]and anchored as near as may be, with convenience and safety, to the place where it is proposed they should be sunk.["]
At B insert, ["]Provided nevertheless, that if the Committee for for tifying the Harbor of Boston shall upon any sudden Alarm or ap pearance of danger, judge it necessary that the said Hulks should be then sunk immediately, before any order of this Court can be taken thereupon, the said Committee be, and hereby are fully empowered to cause the said hulks to be sunk accordingly.["]