These may inform your Honors: that whereas Stephen Parker went from Machias with Letters of Recommendation from the Chaireman of the Committee to procure if possible for Machias aforesaid being then in great want & he preseeded to Philadelphia as he informes and proves by Letters brought and with out any suckses and on his Return back being at Nantucket he met with one Mr Timothy Fitch with whoom he says he agreed to send provisions to Machias and take Lumber there for in Case that Liberty Culd be obtained for the said Fitch to send the Lumber from Machias to the West Indies ー

On Account of Which he the said Parker Says that he went from Nantucket to Water Town in order to obtain Liberty of Your Honors for to trade to the West Indies but was advised not to Mention it and then he the said Parker Returned back to Nantucket and Ingaged to take a Brig belonging to the said Fitch and proceed with her to Capepersue In the Province of Nova Scotia and there to sell of[f] the Provisions and b[u]y a load of fish for the sd Brig and procure a Nova Scotia Register Which he Says he Went to Halifax and obtained and then ordered the said Brig to proseed to Jamaca ー

But as there was some Dispute about provisions being Carrayed out of Nantucket with out a permit from some of the Committee on the Continen[t] Said Parker applyed as we have ben informed to the Committee of Falmouth for a permit which was Granted accordingly for the said Parker to bring Provisions to Machias aforesaid and then he proseeded to Capepersue as aforesaid and Delt as afore said with out as he sayeth any intent of Bring[ing] the said provisions to Machias Exsept his Commissions on the Cargoe which he has actually Brought in the Whole or in part ー

And for the afore said Reasons we have thought proper to take the said Parkers Notes of hand which he had by him in to our possession and them safe to keep for Securety that he shuld Not Depart this pla[c]e until your Honers pleasure is Known and therefore we take this oppertuneyty to In form your Honors of our proseeding and hoop your Honers will Give us further Directions as you in Your Wisdom shall think Best for the peace and Wellfare of the United Coloneys ー The Securetys taken amounts to £ 187: 5-9. we thought best to Inform Your Honors and Not to send the person without it is Required and we shall be always Readey & Will Cheerfully Obey your Honers Commands and any advice your Honers may think fit to Give us will be greatfully Acknowledged by your Humbel Sarvents

By order of the Committee

[Machias] May 25 1776

[Endorsed] In Council June 10th 1776

Read & sent down John Lowell Dpy Secy P T

In the House of Representatives June 21st 1776
Read & committed to the Committee on the Petition of Stephen Parker
Sent up for Concurrence Tim^o Danielson Spr p Tem:
In Council June 21st 1776
Read & concurred.

John Lowell Dpy Secy P T