To the Honorable Council and House of Representatives of the State of Massachusetts Bay
Humbly Sheweth
That John Stoughton Merchant of the Island of Madeira, and Ester his Wife late Passengers on board the Ship Sarah and Elizabeth Captain James Foot Commander, was on their passage from Jamaica to London, taken by the Warren Privateer Captain Cooes [William Coas] and carried into Cape Ann,2 Since which Time have remained residents in said Town near Six Months, detained by the indisposition of Mrs Stoughtons health incur'd on our late Voyage after being Ten Weeks at Sea, but is now perfectly recovered, and the Winter Season being far advanced are very desirous of quitting this Continent, therefore Humbly Crave your Honors acquiescence in granting them leave to depart with their Baggage for Rhode Island the particular desire we may have for being permitted to pass that Channel in preference to any other, give me leave to assure your Honors is to avoid the disagreeable Necessity of being Obliged to depart from hence in a Small Vessel to which Mrs Stoughton has the greatest Objections, arising from what she suffers in being at Sea as allready alledged, Your Honors Kind Compliance with Indulgence to this humble request, and favorable Assistance with the Necessary passes will allways be Kindly acknowledged as a lasting Obligation Conferrd on him who has the Honor to be [&c.]
Boston April 2d 1777
[Endorsed] In the House of Representatives April 3d 1777 Resolved that the prayer of the Petition be granted provided the Petitioner give his parole to procure Capt Walter Hatch late Commander of a Privateer Schooner taken & carried into Hallifax 3 or some other person of Equal rank if sd Hatch cannot be favoured in exchange for said Petitioner. Sent up for Concurrence
J Warren Spkr
In Council April 3d 1777
Read & Concurred
Jno Avery Dpy Secy
