To the Honorable the Council of the State of the Massachusetts Bay
May it Please the Honble. Board

In complyance with an Order of Council of the 11th Instant, directed to this Committee, they have apprehended, and caused to be confined, all Masters Mariners and Seamen, taken on the High Seas, who have not entered into the Service of this or some of the united States and were Resident in this Town.

The Mariners and Seamen the Committee were under the disagreeable necessity of committing to the Common Goal; but the Masters, and one other Gentleman Vizt Mr Henry Seaton, who was Super Cargo on board the Vessell in which he was taken, the Committee thought themselves authorized by the order of Council to suffer to remain in their respective Lodgings, taking their word of honor that they would not go beyond the limits of the House and yard where they were so Lodged untill further order of Council: and as the Committee in this part of their conduct were actuated solely by principles of humanity they hope it will not be disapproved of by the Honorable Board. The Committee would observe to the Board that the reason why the number of persons, now apprehended and confined is so much less than the Return lately made to the Honorable Board is, as they suppose, that the order of Council for apprehending them was by some means or other known before the Committee could put it in execution.

Salem December 23rd. 1776

[Endorsed] In Council Dec. 24th 1776
Read & Ordered — That the above Return ² made by said Comittee be referr'd to the Comittee appointed to prepare Instructions to the Masters of the Cartel Vessels design'd for N York —

John Avery Dpy Secy