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Sir In obedience to your Excellency's commands, signified to me by your Letter of yesterday I have perused the Admiral's Letter, and the affidavits therein inclosed. The affidavits I have submitted to the consideration of the Judge of the Admiralty, and we are both of opinion, that the Offence therein charged, being committed by a person coming from shore, while the Ship lay off Savannah, which is within the body of the Province of Georgia, arises out of the Admiralty jurisdiction, and is not cognizable thereby, or by any other criminal jurisdiction of this Island. The forcibly taking away Stores, belonging to, or intended for the use of the Kings Forts, with intent to assist, in carrying on hostile measures then on foot against His Majesty, raises the Offence from Robbery to High Treason, which being committed in Georgia, is cognizable there on the 25th Edward 3d, or in England by that Statute, and the jurisdiction given by the 33d or 35th of Henry 8th But the State of Georgia, wherein the administration of civil and criminal justice, is silenced by arms, makes in effect this offence triable, for the present in England only. Under these circumstances I am of opinion, that William Platt 2 cannot be in such proper and safe custody, as tha[t] of the Admiral, who, if he shall judge proper, may send him to England, there to be dealt with according to Law ー Had William Platt been apprehended by any civil Magistrate, I do suppose, the Admiral would have been applied to, through your Excellency, to take him under his charge and send him to England, for the purpose aforesaid. I am, with the greatest respect Sir [&c.] April 10th 1776 Tho: Harrison