Friday the 23d Feby 1776.
Whereas a certain Robert Aitchison, a Midshipman on Board of the Syren Man of War commanded by Tobias Furneaux Esqr arrived in the Town of New Bern last Night from the Sloop called the Peggy commanded by Capt Sacks, which said Sloop was on the ninth Day of February seized by the said Tobias Furneaux, who took from Board her three Men & the Mate, at Sea, at a Place called the Frying Pann, and the said Robert Aitchison being put on Board her with a Pilot & three Sailors from on Board the Syren with Directions to carry her to Capt Perry [Francis Parry] Commander of his Majestys Ship the Cruizer at Cape Fear, by contrary & hard Gales of Wind said Sloop suffered much in her Tackle, Sails & Furniture, and was forced, by Accident, into Oacacock Bar where the said Robert Aitchison was under the Necessity of giving up the Sloop & Cargoe then on Board consisting of Rum, Sugar, Molasses, Salt and Ginn to Capt Oacks, who employed a Pilot Boat with two Hands in which the said Aitchison and three Sailors, to witt, John Leech, Jacob Collins and Richard Dunniver came up to New Bern & surrendered themselves to this Committee.
Resolved that the said John Leech, Jacob Collins and Richard Dunniver be at Liberty, and that their Cloaths be return[ed] them. Resolved also that the said Thomas Aitchison be admitted upon his Parole of Honor to the Prison Rules, and in Case he exceeds the Bounds thereof, he is to be confined in close Goal and that all his Effects be returned him except his Papers and Conteaux de Chasse, and that Mrs Hatfield be allowed fourteen Shillings Proc. Money pr week for his Board and Diet, untill the Provincial Congress or Council shall otherwise determine, to whom the above Resolves are submitted.