The Committee to whom were referred sundry Papers relative to the Transport Ship Called the Freindship Cap Holmes late Master which was Cast on Shore on the back of Cape Cod on the 29th of February last, have Attended that Service & beg leave to report
That The Selectmen & Committee of Correspondence Inspection and Safety for the Town of Truro be directed and Impowered to Secure what Remains of said Ship, and to Collect and take proper Care of her rigging, sails Cables & anchors as also of the Provisions, Powd[er] Cannon, ammunition & other Stores Which She had on board, that they lodge & keep them in some Safe place untill it Shall be determined, by the Judge of the Court of Justice for the Tryal & Condemnation of all Vessells found Infesting the Coasts &c that may be brought into the Counties of Plimouth, Barnstaple, Bristol Nantuckett or Duke's County, to whom they belong, excepting one Cask of Vinegar, Two Boxes of Tin, Eight Bolts of Canvas & five kegs of Paint, which they are directed, after having them Apprized by three Impartial Persons to be appointed for that purpose by the Said Selectmen & Committee, to Send them to the Commissary General of this Colony for the use of the Continental Army; and that all officers & others be required to afford their Aid and assistance to the Selectmen & Committee aforesaid in securing the Vessell & Stores befor.ementioned and as Embezzelments in Cases of this Nature is highly Disreputable & altogether unjustifiable and every Species thereof ought to be discouraged that all persons be directed to use their utmost Endeavors to prevent the same & that it be recommended to the Persons concerned in this Capture to restore to Cap Holmes his Wearing Apparell & private papersー
All which is humbly Submitted
[Endorsed] In Council March 14th 1776
Read & accepted, & thereupon Resolved, that the Selectmen & Committee of Correspondence, Inspection & Safety be, & they hereby are directed & impowered to secure what remains of said Ship & to take Care of her rigging & other appurtenances & also of the Provisions, Powder, Cannon, Ammunition & other Stores, which she had on board, until the same. shall be determined on by the Judge of the Court of Justice appointed to try the Justice of the captures of all Vessells, that are found infesting the. Sea Coast &c & brought into either of the Counties of Plymouth Barnstable, Bristol, Nantucket or Dukes County-excepting one Cask of Vinegar, t:wo Box[es] of tin, Eight Bolts of Canvas & five Kegs of Paint, which Arti'cles the said Selectmen & Committees aforesaid are hereby directed (after hiving them apprised by three impartial Persons to be appointed for that purpose, by the Selectmen & Committees afor[esaid)] to send them to the Commissary General of this Colony for Use of the Continental Army-And all Officers & others [are] hereby required to afford their Aid & assistance to the Selectmen [and] Committees aforsaid, in securing the said Vessell with her Appurtenence & Stores aforesd; and [all] Pers[ons] are hereby directed to use their utmost Endeavours to. prevent any Embezzlement of the Same; and it is also recommended to the Persons concerened in this Capture to restore to Capt Holmes his wearing Apparel & private Papers ー sent down for Concurrence
Perez Morton D Secry
In the House of Representatives March 14th 1776
Read & concurrd
William Cooper Sp[k]r Pro.Tem
