To the Honble the Great and General Court of the Colony of the Massachusetts-bay now sitting at Watertown
The Officers of the Eastern regiment of Militia in the County of Lincoln, in a Council at Boothbay in said County met, October 16th 1775
Most humbly shew,
That at the beginning of the present war the townstocks of ammunition within their bounds were very insignificant; and many able & spirited men in the regiment were destitute of effective fire arms.
That every means possible in their circumstances have been tried to remedy these defects ー and tried in vain.
That the frequent alarms, & consequent general musters of this regiment, arising from the restless attempts of our unnatural enemies, to which the busy & extensive sea-coast within our bounds, peculiarly exposes the inhabitants of this County, & especially the Eastern part of it, occasions a greater waste of ammunition here than in most places distant from the camp; & unavoidably produces a constant demand for it.
That, the appearance of a fleet in this harbour (which after three days stay, and various amusing movements, has magnified its valour by the burning of one dwelling-house ー & carrying off about one hundred sheep ー and this morning disappeared) has called out to use all the ammunition, which had not gone off with Col. [James] Cargill to Long island.
That the Expedition under Col. Cargill is like to spend alithe Ammunition he has taken; and if so, this Regiment is like to be left destitute of an article without which this much endangered coast can never be defended; and with which tho' chearfully ready to lay down the price, they see no way to supply themselves.
That the Schooner Britannia of, & for Newbury-port, Wm. Pierce Johnson, Master, arrived here yesterday, with a quantity of powder & arms from the West Indies; on the Account of the late Comee of Supplies of this Colony:
That the conveyance of said stores will be very hazardous while this coast continues to be harrassed as at present by the foe.
That, the inhabitants being ready chearfully to pay for what arms and ammunition may be supplied them, & as ready to use both in the defence of American Liberty, tho' even their lives be expended with them; Your petitioners pray that such part of the said cargo as to your Honor's may seem meet may be ordered to be delivered to Col. Cargill, for the use of the Militia of his regiment, they paying him for the same, & your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray.
Signed in the absence of Col. Cargill in behalf & desire of the officers of the said Eastern regiment in the County of Lincoln by
