Councill Chamber Boston July 4: 1777
Sir
You are hereby ordered & Directed Imediately to Cleare Such People as are now in Helth onbord the Cartill this Day aryved from Halifax, & take onshore at the Pest House, those who are now sick with the small pox, & see that they are properly taken Care of. you are Also Directed to Clean the Vessell in order that she may Imediately [be] brought to Town with safety2 To The Keeper of the Pest House, on Rainsford Island
1. Mass. Arch., vol. 167, 66.
2. The Boston Selectmen reported: "Information given that Capt Glover in a Flag of Truce from Hallifax was arrived at Rainsfords Island having the Small Pox onboard. Orders were therefore given Mr Hartley to smoke & cleanse, and he having Reported that the Captain & seven Passengers were cleansed & had each a fresh Shift of Clothes & might come up to Town without danger-Liberty was given for that purpose, July 7, 1777." A Report of the Record Commissioners of the City of Boston containing the Selectmen's Minutes from 1776 through 1786 (Boston, 1894), 43.
