It [is] with the deepest Concern that We find Mr [John] Browne, that devoted Friend to the Cause of America, betrayed into the Hands of our common Enemies & every Measure for his Release that can be pursued by us shall most earnestly be adopted

We have ordered Samuel Murray son of the Mandamus Counceller & such officers of General [Thomas] Gages Army as are prisoners of War & not disabled from travelling to be immediately sent under sufficient Guards to providence, & think it best that Murray & the Officers should write to their Friends in Boston acquaintg them that Mr Brown's Friends have the same Advantage over these as General Gage hath over Mr Browneー

We beg leave to suggest to You the critical Situation of the Colony at the present Time which disables this Congress from immediately seizing every Crown Officer in the Government ー Boston is closed & the Numerous Inhabitants so obnoxious to our Enemies are imprisoned therein ー several of our Seaports are blocked with Ships & threatned Destruction if they joyn the Army ー under this Situation the Inhabitants of these Places most in Danger are Day & Night removing their Furniture & Effects & We hope soon to see it generally done ー should We therefore seize the Crown officers as proposed it may hurl on our Numerous Seaports sudden Destruction before they have had opportunity of saving themselves.

We had it in Contemplation to send a Letter to the General acquainting him that We should treat the Crown Officers with Severity if Mr Browne should be so treated by him, but We are apprehensive it would rather produce an unhappy than good Effect as he has greater Number of our valuable Friends than We can shew of his ー We desire you to give us your further Sentiments on the Matter & if any Way is left wherein the Congress can serve Mr Browne it shall be readily pursued

We are &

[Endorsed] Afternoon, April 28, 1775

The Committee appointed in the Forenoon to take into consideration a Letter received from the Honourable Stephen Hopkins Esq reported

The Report was accepted, and ordered to lie on the table for the present.