In the House of Representatives -On the Letter from Capt Simeon Sampson dated Halifax Harbor, on board the Boulongua Guard Ship January 20th 1777 —² Ordered that the Council be desired to take the same into Consideration and endeavour to procure the Officers and Seamen prisoners in the State of New Hampshire and Collect those in this State and send them in a Flagg to Halifax for the purpose of redeeming Capt Sampson his Officers and Company, and as many others now Prisoners there as can be. —

In Council read and Concurred

Consented to by fifteen of the Council

In the House of Representatives — Whereas the rum Molasses and sundry other Articles hereinafter enumerated, now in this State, are all needed for the Supply of the Army and the Inhabitants of this State. It is therefore Resolved, That all exportation of rum molasses, sugar cotton Wool, Sheeps-wool, flax, Salt, coffee, cocoa, chocolate, linen, cotton and linen woolen and cotton goods of all kinds, provisions of all and every sort, shoes, hides, deer-skins, sheep-skins and leather of all kinds, as well by land as by water, from the counties of Suffolk and Middlesex after the seventh day of Feby currant and from the counties of Essex, Plymouth & Bristol after the eighth; and from every other part of this State after the tenth, be stopped, except to the different parts of this State.

And if any Vessel shall be found having any quantity of rum more than sixty gallons to a vessel of eighty tons, and for a three Months Voyage, and in that proportion for a larger or smaller vessel, and on a longer or shorter voyage, or having any other of the articles above enumerated on board more than is sufficient for the use of the crew of the said vessel, she being outward bound therewith, or found at sea having sailed fr.om any port in this State, after the times fixed for this Resalve's taking place in such port for any part of the world without this State; such vessel shall be a lawful prize for any person or persons who shall take the same, and shall be libelled in some Maritime Court within this State, within two months after having been found or brought in with such rum or other of said articles on board, and shall be condemned and sold in manner as is provided by the laws of this State for the condemnation and sale of vessels taken in carrying Supplies to the enemies of the United States of America; & the money such vessel and cargo may be sold for, shaH be disposed of in the same manner as Vessels and cargoes are disposed of that are taken as prizes. Provided nevertheless, that if it shall appear to the Satisfaction of the court before whom such trial shall be had, that the owner or owners of such vessel did not knowingly transgress this resolve, in that case such vessel shall not be liable to condemnation.

Provided also, That this resolve shall not be construed to extend to prevent the exportation of Sugar in such quantities as are allowed by a resolve of this Court of the ninth day of January last, for the purpose of procuring flour and other provisions, and other articles for the use of the inhabitants of this State and necessary supplies for the crews of such vessels as may be bound from this State, or to prohibit any exportations the Board of War may think proper to make for the public advantage, or to prevent the carrying of any of the above enumerated articles from this to any neighbouring State, as purchased at ordinary retail, either for the consumption of individuals or single families.

And further Resolved, that Mr Hosmer be, and hereby is directed to procure one thousand of these Resolves to be printed, and that he immediately transmit to the severa:l naval officers within this State, and the several Committees of Car-_ respondence, Inspection and Safety of the Towns that border upon the neighbouring States, printed copies of the same; and that he cause the same to be printed in the Boston news-papers.

In Council read & Concurred —

Consented to by fifteen of the Council