Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Convention:

We, the officers of the several Vounteer Companies here assembled, beg leave to inform you that this day, on mature deliberation, it was resolved in Council immediately to secure all the publick monies in the hands of the Receiver-General, Naval Officers, and other Collectors for his Majesty. Mr. Rob't Prentis, in consequence of our requisition, hath rendered an Acc't on Oath, by w'ch there appears to be in his hands £317,14,2½, as Clerk to the Receiver-General, and has engaged on Oath that he will neither directly or indirectly pay away any part thereof, or any sum that he may hereafter Collect, without your directions. And that you may be fully informed of our proceedings, we have thought proper to enclose you a Copy of his affidavit, together with Copies of the Instructions to the officers of the Several Detachments, who are ordered to wait on the Receiver-General, Naval Officers, and other Collectors, to secure the Monies of the Crown in their hands, till we c'd receive an Answer from you relative thereto. This step would not have been taken, without first obtaining y'r concurrence, could we have thought the circumstances of the case did not require an immediate procedure, but when we acquaint you that this day we rec'd intelligence that J. Earnshaw, one of his Majestie's Collectors, has lately sent a very considerable sum of the publick money on board the Fowey; that, from the best information, we think it more than probable the other crown officers will soon follow his example, and believe any period of delay would be dangerous, and tend to defeat our purposes; for these reasons we hope to meet with your approbation, and do assure you we shall readily submit to y'r Determination of this and every other matter when you shall interfere.

We are, very respectfully, Gentl'n [&c.]

N.B. ー Since writing the above, we are informed that a vessel belonging to a Man of War has lately carried off from the Naval Officer at Hampton all the money in that office, amounting to upwards of £900, which is sent to Boston.