Philip Stephens. Are uncertain whether the House of Commons order, respecting commissions...

Philip Stephens. Are uncertain whether the House of Commons order, respecting commissions paid for the hire of transports, can relate to any transports taken up by the Board. No transports have been hired by us on commission, except fire ships hired at Hamburg in April and May 1776. The owners let these ships on condition they would not have the freight paid in England or have any business there, and the freight should be paid at Hamburg by someone known to them, standing as a middle man. We agreed to appoint Messrs. Hanburg and Son to make the payment for which we allowed them 2% commission.