The Marine Committee having recommended Colonel John Nixon, and John Wharton, as fit persons to execute the business of the navy, under the direction of the Marine Committee,

Resolved, That they be accepted.

The Committee of Treasury reported, that there is due,

To Benjamin Eyre, ship wright, for his pay and rations, employed in constructing row gallies at New York, horse hire, and travelling expences to Albany, to engage boards, &c. for the army, 427 77 /90 dollars:

Ordered, That the said accounts be paid.

The Secret Committee, to whom the letter from Captain Smith was referred, brought in a report, which was taken into consideration: Whereupon,

Resolved, That the Secret Committee be directed to write letters to Governor Cooke, to the continental agent in Rhode Island, and such other persons as they shall think proper, to make strict enquiry into the conduct of Captain Timothy Pierce, respecting the capture or seizure of the ship Hancock & Adams, employed in the continental service, and cause him to be prosecuted for the penalty of the bond given, when he received his commission, if it shall appear, on the enquiry, that in justice to the Continent, such prosecution should be commenced; and the said committee are authorized to do what may be necessary for supporting the prosecution.