Preston Boston 24th April 1775
Sir
Lieutt Cumming who will have the Honor to deliver to your Excellency this Letter, can inform you fully of the disturbed State of this Province, of the Action between the Kings Forces and the Rebels of the 19th instant and of their prohibiting every kind of Provisions from being brought to Town. My particular Request to your Excellency on this Occasion is that you will please to allow small Vessels to come from Nova Scotia with fresh Beef, Mutton, Poultry, Vegetables of all Kinds, Butter, Cheese, and in general every kind of Provision Each Vessel to have your Excellency's Pass to prevent her being seized as New England Property, and to be directed to proceed straight to Boston. If the Inhabitants in your Excellency's Government will be diligent on this Emergency, they may reap very considerable profit and be of great service to the Kings Forces here; And your Excellency may rest assured that nothing shall be taken from them without sufficient payment, and that they will be permitted to return whenever they think proper. I am satisfied your Excellency will on this Occasion facilitate as much as possible the bringing Supplies to Boston on which the Good of his Majesty's Service here so much depends. I am &c.
Saml Graves
1. Graves's Conduct, Appendix, 408, 409, MassHS Transcript.