The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,

Resolved, That the commanders of all ships of war and armed vessels in the service of these states, or any of them, and all letters of marque and privateers, be permitted to inlist into service on board the said ships and vessels, any seamen who may be taken on board any of the ships or vessels of our enemies, and that no such seamen be entitled to receive the wages due to them out of the said prizes, but such as will so inlist, and that all other seamen, so taken, be held as prisoners of war, and exchanged for others taken by the enemy, whether on board of vessels of war or merchantmen, as there may be opportunity:

A petition from Esek Hopkins, commander in chief of the continental fleet, was presented to Congress, and read; setting forth, that "he has been informed that certain complaints, interrogatories and report, charging him with sundry crimes and misdemeanors, had been exhibited to the honorable Congress; the purport of which complaints, &c. he is ignorant of; and praying that he may be furnished with copies thereof, and of all other proceedings against him, which are now before this honorable body; and that time may be allowed him to prepare for, and a day assigned for, his being heard before Congress in his own defence."

Resolved, That the prayer of the petition be granted, and that Friday next be appointed for hearing Commodore Hopkins.²

Resolved, That the Marine Committee be directed to order the ships and armed vessels, belonging to the continent, out on such cruizes as they shall think proper.

Resolved, That Monday next be assigned for hearing and determining the Appeal against the verdict and sentence passed on the schooner Thistle.