To the Honorable General Assembly of the Colony of Connecticutt now Convened at Hartford in Said Colony

The Memorial of the Committee of Inspection for the Town of Norwich Humbly Sheweth ー

That Robert Niles Master of the Armed Sloop Spy fitted out and Now in the Service of this Colony on or about the tenth Day of July last past took; and held in his Custody the Brigantine Nancy Thomas Davis Master from the West Indies Loaded with Molasses and other Valuable effects, which Vessel and Cargo was the property of the late Joshua Winslow an Adresser to Govr [Thomas] Hutchinson & greatly Inimical to America (lately Deceased) now the property of his Lady who is a Daughter of Commodore [Joshua] Loring who also is a Most Inveterate Enemy which Vessel and Cargo was Destin'd for the Ministerial Army then in Boston. Your Honors Memorialists at the Desire of His Honor the Governor took Sd Vessel under their Care and directions ー

Your Memorialists would represent that Sd Vessel is greatly Impaired, and Sd Cargo is greatly Damaged & Wasted and must still Continue to Waste and Damage. Your Memorialists would Beg leave to represent that its not in the power of this Committee to dispose of Sd Vessel and Cargo without the permission & Advice of your Honors; nor would they Voluntaryly Deliver Sd Vessel and Cargo to the above mentioned Owner, unless the Safety of your Memorialists Demands it ー

Your Memorialists humbly Conceive that as Sd Vessel was taken by Capt Niles while in the Governments Service your Honors have the Exclusive right of Determining how and in what Manner Sd Vessel with her Cargo Ought to be disposed of, and not your Honors Memorialists who took Sd Vessel as af[ore]s[ai]d ー

Your Memorialists would pray your Honors to take the State of Sd Vessel and Cargo into your Consideration direct and Order that some One or more of your Memorialists should dispose of Sd Vessel and Cargo, and render an Account of the Avails of Sd Cargo &c: Or that your Honors would direct that Vessel & Cargo be tryed by a Court suitable to determine the Same; Or that your Honors would give permission that Sd Vessel and Cargo may again be returnd to the Master and Owner; Or In some way give needfull Relief to your Memorialists. And your Memorialists as in Duty Bound shall ever pray²  Dated at Norwich the 15th June AD 1776

In behalf of the Committe