(COPY)

Hon'ble Sirs  I beg leave to acquaint the Honorable Board that on Saturday Evening [July 29], I discoverd at the long Wharf in this Town a small Sloop unloading Brandy, Wines Soap, Cordials, and other articles of Merchandize, on making inquiry found her to be a French Vessel, and the person, who appeared to have the direction informed me, that he was sent into this Port by one of His Majesty's Ships, and that he had permission from Admiral [Samuel] Graves, to unlade & sell the Cargo, I immediately told him that I was an Officer of the Kings Revenue, and he must not presume to sell or deliver any of the Goods, nor unlade any more for that I should immediately place the Kings Officers on board his Vessel, and take those already unloaded into Custody ー I accordingly placed three Tidesmen Vizt Hammond Green, Owen Richards & John Petitt, and gave them charge of the Vessel & the goods in the Store, with directions to be attentive that nothing was removed from either place, ー at 11 o Clock Hammond Green came & acquainted me that His Excellency Genl [Thomas] Gage had sent positive Orders for them all to disperse, and leave that Vessel and Store, which order was complied with ー under these Circumstances, I think it my duty to acquaint the Hon'ble Board, how far I proceeded in an affair of so much importance to the Kings Service. ー I am &c

Boston 31st July. 1775