To George Washington from William Bartlett, 6 January 1776
From William Bartlett
Beverly [Mass.] 6 Jany 1776
Sir
After Receiving yours ⅌ Yesterday togeather with The Resolve of Congress inclos’d1 I find by Examining there appears to me to be a Contr[a]diction in this parragraft which I now inclose a Coppy which please to inform me.
Resolved that all Transport Vessels having on board any Troops Arms Ammunition Cloathing provissions or Military or Naval Stores of what kind Soever, and all Vessels to whomsoever belonging that Shall be employ’d in Carrying provisions or Other Necesaries, to the British Army or Armies or Navy—that Now are or Shall hereafter be within any of the United Colonies shall be Liable to2 forfeiture and Confiscation, unless the said Vessells so Employ’d belong to an inhabitant or inhabitants of these United Colonies—in which case the said Vessel or Vessels togeather with her or their Cargoes shall be Liable to Confiscation. I am Sir Your most Obedt Hum. Sert
William Bartlett
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. Bartlett is referring to GW’s circular letter to him, Jonathan Glover, and William Watson, of 3 January.
2. The copyist omitted here the words “seizure, but that the said cargoes only be liable to.” For a complete copy of this resolution of 25 Nov. 1775, see , 3:371–75. The memorandum of Stephen Moylan’s reply to Bartlett of 8 Jan. in DLC:GW does not mention the error in the resolution. The full text of Moylan’s letter has not been found.