[Watertown] Wednesday, June 7, 1775
The Committee appointed to consider what is best to be done with the four prisoners brought from Dartmouth via Cambridge, reported. The Report was recommitted.
Afternoon
The Committee appointed to inquire into the circumstances of the four Prisoners reported. The Report was amended and accepted, and is as follows:
The Committee appointed to take into consideration the circumstances of the four Prisoners brought to this Congress on the 2d of June instant, said to be taken at Dartmouth since the 19th of April last, beg leave to report, that it is the opinion of this Committee, that the said four prisoners, viz: Richard Luckus, Mate of the Ship Falcon, John Dunkinson, Surgeon's Mate, Jonathan Lee, and Robert Cady, be sent to Concord, to the care of the Selectmen of said Town, to be by them secured and provided for, agreeable to their rank, at the expense of this Colony, until they receive some further order from this or some other Congress or House of Representatives of this Colony.
Ordered, That the Honourable Colonel [James] Warren, Mr. [John] Pitts, Mr. [Elbridge] Gerry, the President, Colonel [Nathaniel] Freeman, Mr. [John] Pickering, Mr. [Josiah] Batchelder, Honourable Mr. [Samuel] Dexter, and Mr. [Benjamin] Greenleaf, be a Committee to consider the expediency of establishing a number of small armed Vessels to cruise on our sea-coasts for the protection of our trade and the annoyance of our enemies; and that the Members be enjoined by order of Congress to observe secrecy in this matter.