State of Massachusetts Bay

To the Honble the Council & Honble House of Representatives in General court assembled.

The Petition of Solomon Davis

Humbly Sheweth,

That last Year he imported from Holland by way of St Eustatia a considerable quantity of Duck & Card-Wire, — the Duck he sold this State for the Public Service, & as the Card Wire was very much wanted for the Use of the Inhabitants he sold it among them. — That at the time he sold the Duck it was recommended to him, by several of the Members of this Honorable Court to import a further quantity of that Article, and some others which this State was in great want of, he accordingly sent to Holland an Invoice of sundry Articles, among which are German Steel, Card Wire, & Nails for the Cards, but as the Trade between Holland & this continent was prohibited his Correspondent in Holland was obliged to Ship those Articles to St Eustatia from thence to be sent here, and Your Petr has lately received Advice from St Eustatia of their Arrival there, and that they are ready to be Shipped him; Your Petr has accordingly purchased a small Brigantine which is a remarkable swift sailing Vessell, and she now lyes Loaded at Plymouth with Dry & Pickled Fish & ready to put to Sea.

He therefore Prays that Your Honors Would Grant Liberty for said Vessell to proceed to St Eustatia in order to bring those Articles to this State, also a quantity of Rushia Duck, Oznabrigs, Linnens, & Pepper which were also shipped from Holland in order to be sent here. And as in Duty Bound he will Pray &c

[Endorsements] In the House of Representatives Jany 6, 1776 [1777]

Read & committed to the Committee on similar Petitions — Sent up for Concurrence J Warren Spkr

In Council Jany 6, 1777 Read & Concurr'd John Avery Dpy Secy

The Committy of both houses to whom Similar Petitions are Committed report that the prayer of this petition be Granted

John Taylor Pr order