We the subscribers, Magistrates of the County of Plymouth within the province of Massachusetts Bay ー Most humbly Shewー

That the tumults & disorders which are prevalent in said county, have justly alarmd the small number of Loyal & well affected persons, who reside in the Shiretown, & towns adjacent and (from a variety of threats & insults which have lately been offer'd them) they are apprehensive that an attempt will be speedily made to secure & detain their persons. And as they are (some of them) more than forty miles distant from the metropolis, & must pass thro' towns whose inhabitants are notoriously factios & malicious, their escape (by land) will be difficult if not impossible. We therefore in behalf of these his Majesty's faithful & Loyal subjects, most earnestly request That an armed vessel may be ordered to the harbour of Plymouth, that so they and their innocent families may be assisted in their retreat from the Baseless insults of rebellious & inhuman rioters. And as in duty bound shall pray