Gentlemen of the House of Representatives.

The Secretary will, herewith, lay before you, two letters from the Committee of Newbury port, one dated 24th Feby last, & the other the 18th Instant, wherein you will observe, that the Order of Court of the 8th of February last, relative to the fixing for the Sea, and maning with fifty men each, the Sloop Machias Liberty, & the Schooner Diligent, hath not been fully executed; that it is not in the power of said Committee to do it, and that if said Vessels are maned it must be from the Eastern part of this Colony-Considering the danger that would attend the Suffering Sd Vessels to leave the harbour, in which they now are, with so few men, as are inlisted to serve on board, which are a Number little more than sufficient to sail them ー The great delay it would cause to attempt recruiting, and marching men the distance of two hundred Miles at this Season of the Year —

That the present appearance of our Affairs are materially different from what they were, when said Order of Court was made ー And that there is good reason to believe, that one, if not both, said Vessels are unfit in their Construction for the Service, for which they are designed ー The Council thought it their duty, to lay this matter before you, & recommend it to your Immediate Consideration.