Gentlemen

In answer to yours of the 17th instant, which we receive very kindly, as an Instance of your friendship. we are sensible of the Justness of your remark, that at this distressing time in a special manner, nothing can be of more Importance for the general good of the Country, than the Union of the whole; & that the prosperity and happiness of every Town, is dependant very much, upon the peace & good order subsisting among them; so also, the friendly Intercourse with our Neighbours, is of publick Utility. We therefore would with great Regret, Inform you, that we are Sorry, any of our Members have given you, or the publick in general, any cause of Jealousy or Complai[nt]  this we are satisfied, has proceeded from an Error in Judgment, and not from any design inimical to the publick good. ー Facts ever ought to be rightly stated, which we would do as far as comes to our knowledge. You are sensible that when the Merlin, lay in Your harbour, Capt [William C.] Barneby [Burnaby] stopt several of our Boats, & confined some of our Men on board, their friends Applied to Capt [James] Mugford, as he had some acquaintance with the said Captain to assist them in geting them discharged, (it being in the Evening) he without applying to our Committee, and being Concerned for the welfare of Individuals, we think, too precipitately assisted some of the Officers, this part of his conduct we do not Approve of; but impute it as above to Error in judgment; But do affirm, that he has, by his readiness at all times, to serve the publick Interest of America, manifested himself, to be a real Friend to his Country; and we still Esteem him to be such: ー The Commanders of the Troops stationed here, received no special Orders from General Washington, but since the affair above, our Committee of Correspondence have directed such watches, as they apprehend, will prevent any cause of complaint from our Friends, as to any Concern wth any Man of War that may for the future come into our Harbour. As we ever have endeavoured to promote every thing that tended to the good of America, and discountenance all that might, be detrimental to the Cause in dispute, so we ever shall, And shall ever esteem your friendship as a favour

We are with Esteem & Regard Gentlemen [&c.]

Signed by Order of the Committee of Safety at Marblehead