To the Honble the Council of the State of Massachusetts Bay
The Petition of Henry Strickland & Samuel Johnson Humbly shew,
That your petitioners sometime last Spring Deserted from the Milford Man of War, and got ashore at Cheboge, from whence they went in a Small Vessel to Quebeck, where they Entered on board a Merchantman bound to Cork, and on their passage were taken by an American Privateer Commanded by Capt Greely and immediately Entered on board said Privateer.2 — That since Capt Greely's arrival in Boston they have been taken up as Prisoners and put on board the Guard Ship — That your petr Johnson was taken out of a Merchantman & forced on board the Milford very much against his Will. —
That if your petitioners are sent to Halifax as Prisoners they expect nothing but to be Hanged for Desertion. —
They therefore humbly pray your Honors would take their Case into your Compassionate Consideration and grant that they may be Liberated from their Confinement that so they may Enter into the American service and not Suffer them to be Exchanged as Prisoners; for if they should, they are almost Certain of Suffering Death;
And as in duty bound shall pray &c.
Henry Strickland
his
Samuel Johnson X
Mark
Boston Sept 29:1777
[Endorsed] In Council Septemr 29 1777. On the Petition of Henry Strickland, & Samuel Johnson ordered, that Robert Pierpont Esqr Commissary of Prisoners be and he hereby is directed, to release from their Confinement on Board the Gardship, said Strickland & Johnson that they may enter into the American service, agree[able] to their request in said petition read & Accepted
Jno Avery Dy Secy