To the Honourable the Governor and Council of Safety of the State of Connecticut agreable to your Honors Directions, We the Subscribers have repaired to Newlondon, and Examined into the Curcumstances of Capt Hardens [Seth Harding] Stoping the Ship Mary under the Command of Capt Thos Kanady from proceeding on her Voige; and the reasons of her being Detained in this Harbour till this time; have taken Several Depositions also copys of his orders & Instructions which We hearwith transmit to your Honors, by which We apprehend the dangers attending the sailing of said Ship at the time She was stoped and Since Will appear Nearly in their true Light: but we think it our duty to further inform: that we have advised with Mr Nath! Shaw Jur Capt [John] Deshon and sundry other Gentlemen Well acquairited with the Coast the place where the British Ships are Cruising and with the temper of the Crew on board the Ship Mary, and they unanimously agree that it was the most Likely that had said Ship proceeded as Was intended when stoped or since, She Would have been taken by our Enemies or have been delivered up by the Crew. and those aquainted with her Cargo say that it has been so long shipd it is doubtful whether it will not Spoil on the Voige, that flax seed will answer much better and be Safer for both the publick and the owners — and it seems to be a General opinion that there is a probability that Considerable part of our Army May be wanted here, in which Case it may be Extreem difficult to provide flower for them — and it seems to be the opinion of every one that Capt Harden Conducted prudently in stoping the Ship from sailing. We Conferd with Capt Kanady on the Subject. he says it is a fact that the most of his Crew & his Mate Were Prisoners brought in by our Armed Vessels & that they belongd to Europe and were straingers to him but Says he Could get no others: and had orders to sail, and therefore thought best to take them — & that they promised to be true to him in the Voige but he freely Confesses to us that it is his opinion that if he had Gone Out when he intended, it is most Likely he Should have. been taken by those British ships, or that his Crew would have proved unfaithful: he also agrees with those who say their is danger of the Cargos takeing Damage if attempted to be Carried to Europe, he Left the Ship on her first being stoped but is now gone on board and promised us this Day to take good Care of the Ship & Cargo till he hears further; Says he has wrote to the General Congress the whol affair: it appears to us that the Danger is still as great, as to said ship going to sea as ever — and that She Stands but a very smal Chance to escape our Enemys. all which is humbly submited to your Honrs by your [&c.]

Newlonden November the 20th Ad 1776