To the Honorable Congress now sitting for the Province of Massachusetts Bay ー The petition of Timothy Langdon Humbly shewethー
That upon the second day of May instant a Committee of Safety for ten towns in the County of Lincoln met at Pownalborough, and amongst other matters took under consideration the expediency of removing the Kings masts, being in the dock in Georgetown, when it was unanimously voted that it was inexpedient to remove themー
That on the fourth day of May instant a meeting of the Commities of Inspection for a Number of towns in the County of Lincoln was held in Georgetown & after duly considering of all matters respecting the Kings masts were of opinion that all persons be forbid to work upon said masts, or aid in any manner in fitting them for the Kings use ー That Edward Parry Esqr who had procured those masts more than a year since had promised the Committee that no person should ship those masts for him but that they should remain in the Dock in Georgetown ー The committies of Inspection where then of opinion that it was inexpedient to remove the masts from the dock
That while the Committies of Inspection were met Colln Samuel Thompson of Brunswick in the County of Cumberland appeard with twenty armed men & when he had heard of the result of the Committies he seized upon the Body of Edward Parry Esqr & kept him in Custody 'till he gave bonds in two thousand pounds to tarry in this town till the pleasure of the Congress shall be known respecting him, and also obliged the said Edward to pay for the Victuals & drink of him the said Thompson & his men, amounting to the sum of 42s L Mー
That the said Edward Parry has ever behaved himself as a peaceable member of society, & he declared to the committies that had he have known there was an order of Congress respecting the masts he would not have concerned himself with them.
Wherefore your petitioner at the request of, & as Clerk to the Committies of Inspection humbly prays the Honorable Congress that they woud take the matters of fact above stated, under consideration, & that orders be sent to Messrs Dummer Sewell & Jordan Parker the Bondsmen for said Parry that he the said Parry may be released from his Confinement & they the said Dummer & Jordan released from their bond And your petitioner as in Duty bound shall ever Pray &c
Georgetown May 5th 1775
