Sir I have bin Requested by the Com[mit]tee for takeing Care of the Prisoners to take the Charge and over-sight of those stationd at Canaan [f]rom whome one John Birchley has shewn me a Certificate (signd by the Comander of the Briliant one of the Royal Navy his Name I have forgot.) Shewing that said Birchley was Impressed at Quebeck for his Majestys Service from on board the Carolina a Merchant Ship from Philadelphia owned by Jeremiah Warder of that place ー that he was brought up to St Johns to Man out the Vesels built their which ware Resigned to us with sd Garison and their mad Prisoners sd Birchley Apear to be a Steady Sensable young Man has behaved himself well since with us. Informes me he saild from Philadelphia on board sd Ship &c that atho he is an Englishman by Birth he has bin in this Country from his Childhood has saild in the Imploy of Several Merchants from that Place in Particular Mr William Morris [Willing, Morris & Co.] in the Richard Pen who he thinks is the same man who Signd the Continental Bils Mr. Warder and others who he think would give full satisfaction of his frindly Disposition to the American Cause and of the Maner of his Comeing into his Majestys Service if he might be Permited to go to Philadelphia ー Also one John Barber has shewn me a lik Certificate from the Same Officer he Apears to be well aquainted with the Principal Towns in this Colony (viz) Hartford Weathersfield Midletown New London Simsbery &c is Certainly Aquainted with Many Persons of Note in those Places Was Impresd from a Fishing Vesel at Quebeck Professes a Desier to live in the Country as he undoubtedly has Since the last War ー I have heard of one or two more in like Circumstances but have not Seen their Certificates those above Men tined are Dated at Albany when they ware Brought from the Northward they ware taken from Quebeck last Sumer the Officer who gave the Certificate is not in this Colony ー I Trouble Your Honour with this at their Ernest Request and desier for Your Advice and Direction. ー Am Your Honours [&c.]

Hartford 21 June 1776