To the honble the Council & the honble House of Representatives for the State of Massachusetts Bay —
Humbly shew the Subscribers of Newburyport Merchants, that they were preparing a Vessell for the Sea, when the late Prohibition took place — a Brign named the Lady Gates Maddatt Engs Master — designed for Charlestown So Carolina there to load with Rice, for foreign Europe — from the produce of which Vessell & Cargo they purpose to bring back here, in another Bottom, in military Stores, coarse Woollens & Linnens, & other Articles yet much wanted for the Army & by the Country in general — Should your Honours judge, as your Petitioners conceive, the abovementioned purposes, well worth pursuing for the Good of the Community, & that our Navigation upon this Coast, is at the present season freest from British Captures, your Petitioners beg your honours Permit for their Brign to proceed as abovementioned the present Embargo notwithstanding, & your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray
Newburyport 2d Jany 1777.
[Endorsed] In the house of Represents Janry 7 -1777 Read and Committed to the Comtee on Similar petitions Sent up for Concurrence J Warren Spkr
In Council Jay 7, 1777 Read & Concurr'd Jno Avery Dpy Secy
[Second endorsement] The Committee of both Houses on Similar Petitions, Report that the prayer of the within Petition be granted provided they Carry none of the enumerated articles nor Rum
John Taylor Pr order
