[Exeter] Friday Sept. 6th, 1776
Voted to choose a Committee of this House, to join a Committee of the Honble Board, to take into consideration the Resolves of the Honble General Assembly of the Massachusetts Bay respecting fitting out the Continental Frigate at Portsmouth for a Cruise against the Enemy, and concerning Stopping the Export of Lumber &c. (this day transmitted to this Court by a Comtee of that Court) and to make report thereon to this house as soon as may be; and that Colo [Samuel] Sherburne, Colo [Timothy] Walker & Henry Prescott, Esq. be the Comtee of This house for that Purpose; Sent up by Majr Tash. [Endorsed] [Concurred ー Messrs Thornton, Whipple & Thompson added.]
The Comtee [above appointed] being joined by a Comtee of the Honble Board, made report.
That it be recommended to Mr. [John] Langdon Continental agent for the Frigate aforesaid to equip her as soon as Possible for a cruise against the Milford or any other Vessell of our Enemies on Coast in conjunction with one of the Continental Frigates in the Massachusetts Bay and other of their Colony Armed Vessells: and that a Committee be appointed to consult with Mr. Langdon on the affair, and assist him if he needs it: and that any soldier in the Colony service have liberty to Enlist for the Cruise, their wages to continue besides the Emolument of Captures &c. they to return to their service when the cruise is over. Also recommend that an Embargo until the Twentieth of November next be laid on the exportation of All Lumber from this State
M. Thornton, Chairman.
Which report being Read,
Voted, That the same be received & accepted.
Voted and Resolved ー That it be and hereby is Recommended to John Langdon Esqr Agent for the Continental Frigate now at Portsmouth to Equip the said Frigate as soon as Possible for a cruise against the Milford or any other Vessell of our Enemies on this Coast, in conjunction with one of the Continental Frigates in the Massachusetts Bay and other of their Colony Armed Vessells; and that Colo Samuel Sherburne with Such as the Honbl Board shall appoint, be a Committee to consult with said Mr. Langdon on that affair, and to assist him if he need it: And that any soldier in the Colony service have liberty to Enlist for the Cruise, and their wages to continue besides the Emolument of Captures &c. and to return to their service when the cruise is over.
Sent up by Capt. Prentice
[Concurred, Mr. William Whipple added.]
Voted and Resolved That an Act be drawn up & Passed laying an Embargo on the Exportation of all sorts of Lumber from any part of this Colony, and that a Committee be chosen to join a Comtee of the Honbl Board to draw up & bring in a Bill or Act to prevent the Exportation of Lumber from this Colony untill the Twentieth day of November next, and that Colo Timothy Walker be the Committee of this House for that purpose. Sent up by Colo Walker. [Concurred ー and Mr. Clagett added.]
