[New York, January 25, 1776] 2
Sir:
The Ship Asia has been supplied with provisions in the following manner, Vizt.
Abraham Lott Esqr Treasurer of this Colony (in whom you know the Inhabitants universally place great Confidence) has for several years been one of the Agent Victuallers for his Majesty's ships at this port ー having recd orders for Provisions he laid them before the provincial Congress ー he was directed fo obtain the number of men belonging to the Ship and make return thereof to Congress & lest Mr. Lott might be imposed on [as] they had ample means of Information.
The Congress have given him permits to supply the Ship Asia with necessary provisions for her own use and consumption only, Mr. Lott from time to time making report to Congress of the Species & Quantities supplied. The Ship takes her supply once a week if necessary ー The Ship's Boats or any person belonging to her are not permitted to come to the Shore, when the Ship lay off in Hudsons River or toward the Bay the provisions when sent in market Hours in the morning were Sent by such person & Boat as Mr. Lott employed & Landed on Nutten Island; & the Ships Boats were Sent there for it ー Since her removal from thence, the Craft and persons employed by Treasurer Lott deliver the provisions in Market hours into the Ship's Boat near the Ship ー every other Inhabitant is prohibited any intercourse with the Asia nor is she supplied with anything but thro' Mr. Lott or his order.
1. Calendar of Historical Manuscripts Relating to the War of the Revolution, in the Office of the Secretary of State, Albany, N.Y. (Albany, 1868), I, 154.
2. McKesson was secretary of the New York Provincial Congress. The date of the letter is adduced in part by McKesson's remarks as to the various locations of the Asia. She lay in the North river off the Battery from June 15, 1775, until September 6, when she moored "toward the bay" between the Battery and Oyster Island. On December 20, according to the Asia's journal she moved into the East River and moored with "the Old English Church W N W the Battery WSW½ W Long Island ferry S E." On January 24, 1776, the ship's purser, who dealt with Abraham Lott, died, and probably was succeeded by Richard Sharp, whose request regarding the method of supplying provisions was answered by McKesson.