Sir As there is several Matters of Complaint turnd up (since my Capture of the Ship Unity) against the Capt of sd Ship, I think proper to acquaint you of the Particulars, viz as follows ー On my sending of an Officer on Board Sd Ship, his Treatment was such as I would rather have expected from a polite Enemy than a Friend to our Cause as Americans ー I would acquaint your Excellency in the next Place, that there is on Board said Ship a much greater Quantity of Naval Stores than is customary to export from our Ports ー There is likewise as I understand some considerable Quantity of Provisions, much more (in my Opinion) than is necessary for Ship's Crew. I would likewise inform your Excellency that the Capt contrary to the Resolves of our General Assembly has taken on Board a Considerable Quantity of raw Fish. And from those, And many other Circumstances, I conclude that Capt Flagg, was designd for the Port of Boston instead of any one of the West India Isles ー From this Consideration Sir, I (with the greatest Deference to your own Judgement) should think it proper, that the ship should be remov'd to Beverly, as a Place of much greater Security, than her present Port; the Lumber which she has on Board is considerable & might be much easier remov'd to Head Quarters, for Service, from thence, than the present Port ー I shall leave the Ship with the Committee of Safety, 'till further Orders ー With the greatest Respect, I am Sir, [&c.]
P.S. I would not neglect acquainting Your Excellency (in Excuse for my making a Short Stay Here,) that my first Lieuftenant Was accidentally wounded; for the Particulars of which, or the Circumstances relative to my takeing the Ship, your Excellency will be pleased to inquire of the Bearer ー
Gloucester Sepr 9th 1775