Portsmo Augt 29 1775
Sir
Sometime since the Ship Elizabeth arrived in this Harbour from Granada & was stopped by Capt [Andrew] Barclay Commander of His Majestys Ship the Scarborough for having as he said ordnance stores on board & was from hence by him carried to Boston.2 The freight to a Considerable amount she had on board belonged to different merchants in this Town. The want of having certain necessary Papers Completed prevented the owners of the freight or their Agent from taking Passage in one of those Ships to Boston. They have thot it absolutely necessary to take this only method of Sending Mr Hale the Bearer of this to Boston to personate the owners. I therefore think it reasonable that he be permitted to pass to Boston & desire the Boat & hands be suffered to returnー
With much respect &c.
Theodr Atkinson, Pres.
1. Bouton, ed., Documents and Records of New Hampshire, XVIII, 674, 675; ibid., VII, 390.
2. The ship Elizabeth, Thomas Ashburn, master, from Grenada for Piscataqua, was acquitted in the Admiralty Court, but her cargo was bought for the British Army. Graves's Conduct, Prize List, MassHS Transcript.
