Brunswick May 3d 1775
Gentlemen
We, whose Names are hereunto Subscribed, Beg Liberty to Inform You of our Situation, as we are Chosen By this Town to Examine into the Circumstance of it, which we had done, and find the Town very Deficient as to Arms & Amunition, and have sent By Water to Salem, But have Just had our money Return'd Back Without Arms or Ammunition: at present we Have Not more than one quarter of a pound of powder to a Man throughout the Town, Nor more than one firelock To two Men; and in this Defenceless State we are Obliged To Apply to You to Assist our Trusty friend Whom We have Sent Capt Nathaniel Larrybee, and as we think it Would Be Unsafe to Transport Powder by Water we have Ordered Him to Take only one hundredweight and for him to Consult With You how and in What way it Would be Safest to Get Arms and more Powder Down To us. We Should Esteem it as a Favour, to be informed from You by way of Letter at Every Convenient Oppertunity of Our Publick Affairs. We are,
Gentlemen [&c.]
Aaron Hinkley Benja Stone Saml Standwood James Curtis
1. Mass. Arch., vol. 193.