Sir

I am favoured with your Letter of the 11^th Instant,¹ Note the Contents. The Cap­tors of the Weymouth Packet are entitled to their Share of the prize according to the Resolutions of the Continental Congress That Rule being adopted by the Governor & his Council of Safety, at the time Cap^t Harding was fitted out for a Cruize; the Gen­eral Assembly will probably make Some Alteration to Adapt it to our particular Cir­cumstances for the future—when Time will admit—which I Shall advise you of as soon as done

The only question between the Captors & this State is whether the Weymouth is a Vessel of War within the true Intent & meaning of the Resolution of Congress of the 30^th of Octo^r 1776, Should the Weymouth Packet be Judged a Vessel of War within the true Intent & meaning of s^d. Resolution there is nothing further to be said why the Captors should not be entitled to the whole, Saving a Twentieth part which in all Cases goes to the Commander in Chief, that is a Twentieth part of the prize or part belonging to & divided among the Captors—

It is Supposed that a Packet whose Business is to make the greatest dispatch, & not to pursue or even engage any Ship of war but in their own defence, is not a Ves­sel of War within the meaning & Intention of Congress-

Agreable to your Request, have Inclos^d a Warrant² Impowering you to act in all matters therein contain^d, pursuent to Such Orders & Instructions as you Shall from time to time receive from me or the General Assembly of this State—The foregoing is wrote by Advice & Consent of my Council of Safety.—they do not mean to enter into any dispute with the Captors on any other Question save that mentioned herein—

Your's ⅌ Cap^t Hard[ing] can not be answered 'till The further resolution of the General Assembly is known—of which you will soon be acquainted—I am [&c.]