Council Chamber [Boston] Septr 25th 1777
Ordered that the Commissary of Prisoners be and he hereby is directed to give information to the Judge of the Maritime Court in which the prizes captured by the within nam'd Capt Oaks2 are or may be libelled, of his refusal or neglect to surrender up to the Commissary the prisoners taken on board said prizes and brought into this State as by Law he is obliged to do, before condemnation can be had therof — And the said Commissary is likewise directed to take the like measures with any others who shall have neglected or refused or hereafter shall neglect or refuse to deliver up such prisoners, whereby the evident design of said Act calculated to redeem from Captivity and Distress such of the Subjects of the American States who may have the misfortune to fall into the Hands of our Enemies will be defeated.
1. Mass.Arch., vol. 173, 428.
2. Jonathan Oakes commanded Massachusetts privateer brig Hawke.