[Watertown] Wednesday, July 12, 1775
The Committee appointed to consider a Resolve of the Committee of Safety, relative to Mr. Winslow's employing one William Lightly to carry a load of Molasses to New-York, &c., reported the following Letter to Governour [Jonathan] Trumbull, which was accepted, and ordered to be authenticated, and sent forward:
May it please your Honour:
The Brigantine Nancy, now in the harbour of Stonington, in Connecticut, being laden with molasses, the property of the late Joshua Winslow, of Boston, a noted and active friend to Administration, which, as we are well informed, is now directed to be conveyed to New York, and from thence, as we conjecture from sundry suspicous circumstances, to be sent to Boston; the master who has undertaken this business being now in custody, having given the information before mentioned; the Congress of the Massachusetts Bay beg leave to observe to your Honour, whether prudence and good policy do not suggest to detain said ship and cargo, or such part of it as belongs to said Winslow, for the use of the Colonies, rather than to suffer them to fall into the hands of General [Thomas] Gage, where they will be improved to the support of our enemies, and to augment the distress of these Colonies.
We have the honour to be, &c.
To the Honourable Governor Trumbull.
Resolved, That said William Lightly be confined in Concord Jail, and that Mr. Davis be dismissed; and that Mr. [Jerathmiel] Woodbridge bring in a Resolve for this purpose.
1. Force, comp., American Archives, 4th, II, 1507, 1508, from Mass. Arch., vol. 32.
