At a meeting of the Committee of Baltimore County held at Mr Grants December 7th 1774

Captn James Thomas of the Ship William from Bristol, appeared before the Committee, and declared on Oath, that he arrived within the Capes of Chesapeak Bay on the 30th Day of November last past, and that he has not imported himself, nor is there to the best of his knowledge, any East India Tea on board his Ship. The Captain at the same time produced his Log Book, which corresponded with his decleration aforesaid, respecting the time of his arrival in the Bay. The following Gentlemen, Importers of Goods in said Ship, appeared before the Committee, and made oath that they had not imported any East-India Tea in said Ship; William Smith, James Cheston, David Mitchell, William Neill, Christopher Johnston, and David M'Lure.

Captn Robert Johnston of the Ship Elizabeth from London-Derry having arrived in Chesapeak Bay after the first Day of December, appeared before the Committee, and declared on Oath that there is not, at present, nor has he imported in said Ship, Goods of any kind for Sale, except Seven pieces of Irish bagging, being his own private adventure which he engages to deliver into the hands of Mr Hercules Courtenay and Captn. George Woolsey, who are appointed by the Committee to receive and Sell them at public Vendue, and after paying the said Captn the first Cost and charges of said Goods, out of the Produce of the Sales, the remainder, if any, to be accounted for to the Committee by Messrs Courtenay & Woolsey, and applied by the Committee to the purposes in that case recommended by the Continental Congress.²