Two o'clock, p.m. Met according to adjournment. A motion was made and passed, that Mr. Rotch and Captn Hall be desired to give their attendance. Mr. Rotch appeared, and upon a motion made, the question was put, whether it is the firm resolution of this body, that the tea brought by Captn Hall shall be returned by Mr. Rotch to England, in the bottom in which it came, and whether they accordingly now require the same, which passed in the affirmative, nem. con.
Mr. Rotch then informed the meeting, that he should protest against the whole proceedings, as he had done against the proceedings on yesterday, but that, tho' the returning the tea is an act in him, he yet considers himself as under a necessity to do it, and shall therefore comply with the requirement of this body.
Captain Hall being present, was forbid to aid or assist in unloading the teas at his peril, and ordered, that if he continues master of the vessel, he carry the same back to London, who replied, he should comply with these requirements.
Upon a motion, resolved, that John Rowe, Esqr., owner of part of Capt. Bruce's ship, expected with tea, as also Mr. Timmins, factor for Capt. Coffin's brig, be desired to attend.
Mr. Ezekiel Cheever was appointed captain of the watch for this night, and a sufficient number of volunteers gave in their names for that service.
Voted, that the captain of this watch be desired to make out a list of the watch for the next night, and so each captain of the watch for the following nights, until the vessels leave the harbour.
Upon a motion made, voted, that in case it should happen that the watch should be any ways molested in the night, while on duty, they give the alarm to the inhabitants by the tolling of the bells, and that if any thing happens in the day time, the alarm be by ringing of the bells.
Voted, that six persons be appointed, to be in readiness, to give due notice to the country towns, when they shall be required so to do, upon any important occasion, and six persons were accordingly chosen for that purpose.
John Rowe, Esqr., attended, and was informed that Mr. Rotch had engaged, that his vessel should carry back the tea she brought, in the same bottom, and that it was the expectation of this body that he does the same by the tea, expected in Capt. Bruce, whereupon he replied, that the ship was under the care of the said master, but that he would use his utmost endeavor, that it should go back as required by this body, and that he would give immediate advice of the arrival of said ship.
Voted, that it is the sense of this body, that Capt. Bruce shall, on his arrival, strictly conform to the votes passed respecting Capt. Hall's vessel, as they had all been passed in reference to Capt. Bruce's ship.