State of Massachusetts Bay—Council Chamber July 22d. 1779—

Whereas sundry Goods, Wares & Merchandizes of the growth or Manufacture of Great Britain have been imported into this State from the City of New York under the care of Timo: Folger Esqr: for the Use & on account of sundry Inhabitants of these States in direct Violation of the Resolve of Congress, which Goods Wares and Merchandizes have in pursuance of an Order of the Council been delivered up by said Folger and are now in the possession of, and under the Care of the Secy.—therefor to the End that such pernicious intercourse communication and traffic 97 between the Inhabitants of these States and the Enemies thereof may be suppressed, It is unanimously Ordered that the Attorney General be and he hereby is dericted in behalf of the Government and people of this State to file a claim Libel in the proper Maratime Court for the Condemnation of said Goods, Wares and Merchandizes, as soon as conveniently may be. And the Secy. is hereby dericted to retain the Goods aforesaid in his hands in the mean time.1

True Copy Attest Saml. Adams Secry.

RC ; addressed: “Hon’ble Robt: Treat Paine Taunton (on Public Service).”

1.

Capt. Timothy Folger of Sherburn had been given permission to go to New York and return with his effects, June 12, 1780 (The Acts and Resolves, Public and Private, of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay, 1779–1780 [Boston, 1922], Chapter 38 [1780], 535–536).