In the House of Representatives Whereas, from Intelligence received, it is probable there is, or may be sundry Vessels on this Coast from France, bound into this State, with Sundry Articles of Supplies, which are of great Importance to the United States, and as they may not be furnished with good and able Pilots therefore,

Resolved, That the Board of War be and they hereby are directed to procure, and send out into this Bay, such Pilot Boats and Men, as may be sufficient to answer the above purpose, of Safley bringing into port such Vessels aforesaid as they may meet with, or pursue such other methods as to them may appear necessary to Effect the above purpose.

In Council read and Concurred
Consented to by fifteen of the Council

In Council Resolved, That Capt James Foot be and he hereby is permitted to proceed on his Voyage to New York in the Ship Sarah and Elizabeth taking with him Thirteen Men and Boys for the purpose of Navigating the said Ship and also his Son and Servant ー And he hereby is directed to take with him as Passengers, Mr Horlock his Son and Servant, Mr Benjamin Witherby & his Servant, Mr Lancake and Capt Uzuld, provided they with Capt Foot give their joint Parole to use their best Endeavours to procure the Release of as many Persons as may sail from this State in the said Ship, and as near as may be of like Rank and who are now detained as Prisoners in the hands of the Enemy; and in case they cannot procure the release of the American Prisoners aforesaid, That they all will return in the said Ship Sarah and Elizabeth to some Port in this State within Sixty Days from the time of his leaving it.²

And that they carry no papers or Letters but such as have been Inspected by the Committee of the Town from whence they may sail, and that they do not carry any Fire Arms, nor any more Provisions than is Necessary for the said Voyage to New York; and the Committee of the Town of Glouster and the Naval Officer of said Port are hereby strictly injoined to attend thereto. And all the Armed Vessels belonging to this State, are hereby commanded, and it is recommended to all others fitted out by the United American States or either of them to Suffer the said Vessel to proceed on her Voyage to New York & from thence to Jamaica in Ballast only, unmolested ー

In Council Read and Concurred
Consented to by fifteen of the Council

In Council The Commanders of the several Ships or Vessells of War belonging to this State are strictly required to shew in themselves a good Example of Honor and Virtue to their Officers and Men and to be very vigilant in inspecting the behavior of all such as are under them and to discountenance and suppress all dissolute immoral and disorderly Practices and also all such as are contrary to the rules of Discipline and due Subordination, and to correct those who are guilty of the same according to the Usage of the Sea or to punish them in such manner as may be particularly directed and they are in an especial Manner to take care that the Sabbath be duly & religiously observed ー And if any person belonging to either of such Vessels shall be convicted of Theft Drunkenness prophane Cursing or Swearing disregarding the Sabbath or using the Name of God lightly or profanely or shall be guilty of quarrelling or fighting or any reproachfull or provoking Language tending to make quarrels, or of any turbulent or mutinous Behavior, or if any person shall Sleep upon his Watch or forsake his Station or shall in any wise neglect to perform the duty enjoined him he shall be punished for any of the said Offences~at the Discretion of the Commissioned Officers of such Vessel or the major part of them according to the Nature and Agravation of the Offence by sitting in the Stocks or wearing a Wooden Collar about his Neck not exceeding four Hours nor less than One or by whiping not exceeding twelve lashes or by being put in Irons for so long Time as the said Officers shall judge the safety and well being of the Ship & Crew requires or otherwise shall forfeit to the State not more than six nor less than two days pay for each Offence ー

And if any person shall be so hardy & presumptuous as to let out of Irons or otherwise rescue from punishment in any forcible or fraudulent Manner, any person duly adjudged to it, the person so offending shall undergo the same punishment in nature and degree that the other was adjudged to, and such rescue shall be no release of the punishment due to the first Offender.

All Papers, Charter parties Bills of Lading passports and other Writings whatsoever found on board any Ship or Vessel which shall be taken shall be carefully preserved and delivered to such Court as shall be authorised to try the Justice of the Capture on pain of forfeiting all the Interest in such prise any person offending in this Instance might otherwise have and the Offender in this Case shall be liable to further punishment according to the Nature of his Offence ー

If any person on board such Vessel, when in sight of an Enemy or when in fight with one, shall neglect his duty or shall desert his Station in the Ship or shall behave in a cowardly and base manner or shall be guilty of any other Crimes or Misdemeanors not herein particularly enumerated, he shall suffer any of the punishments herein above pointed out at the discretion of the Commissioned Officers or the Major part of them and shall be liable to such further punishment as any Court that may be Authorised to try the same shall adjudge ー

The Commanding Officer of each of the Ships & Vessels aforesaid shall read or cause to be read to the people on board, the foregoing Rules and Regulations, once a Week at the least untill they shall be revoked or Superceded by this Court.

Read and Accepted and Ordered That the Secretary make out fair Copies of the foregoing Rules and Regulations and deliver one to each of the Commanders of the Ships or Vessels of War belonging to this State. ー

In Council Read and Concurred
Consented to by fifteen of the Council