e brought into this state by the Hazard and
Tyrannicide, may be delivered to him." It was referred to the
committee appointed on the 15th of November. On the 18th of November,
"Jabez Fisher, Esq., brought down a report of the Committee of both
Houses on the petition of Isaac Smith, being by way of resolve,
directing the Board of War to deliver so many of the negroes therein
mentioned, as are now alive. Passed in Council, and sent down for
concurrence." The order of the House is, "Read and concurred, as taken
into a new draught. Sent up for concurrence."

It is printed among the resolves of November, 1779.

"XXXI. Resolve relinquishing this state's claim to a number
of Negroes, passed November 18, 1779.

"Whereas a number of negroes were re-captured and brought
into this State by the armed vessels Hazard and Tyrannicide,
and have since been supported at the expense of this State,
and as the original owners of said Negroes now apply for
them:

"Therefore _Resolved_, That this Court hereby relinquish and
give up any claim they may have upon the said owners for
re-capturing said negroes: Provided they pay to the Board of
War of this State the expence that has arisen for the
support and clothing of the Negroes aforesaid."[600]

On the 12th of April, 1780, Massachusetts passed an Act providing more
effectually "for the security, support, and exchange of prisoners of
war brought into the State." It declares that

"All Prisoners of War, whether captured by the Army or Navy
of the United States, or armed Ships or Vessels of any of
the United States, or by the Subjects, Troops, Ships, or
Vessels of War of this State, and brought into the same, or
cast on shore by shipwreck on the coast thereof ... all such
prisoners, so brought in or cast on shore (including
Indians, Negroes, and Molatoes) be treated in all respects
as prisoners of war to the United States, any law or resolve
or this Court to the contrary notwithstanding."[601]

The above Act was passed in compliance with a resolution of Congress,
Jan. 13, 1780; and it repealed an Act of 1777, that made no provisions
for the capture of Negroes.

On the 23d of January, 1784, Gov. Hancock sent a message to the
Legislature, transmitting correspondence received dining the
adjournment of the Legislature from Oct 28, 1783, to Jan. 21, 1784.
Calling the attention of the Le