The Petition of William Williams an Africanー
Humbly Sheweth
That your Petitioner in a Ship bound from Jamaica, to London, commanded by Capt Archibald Duthie was taken by the Letter of Marque Schooner Sturdy Begger, commanded by Capt Peter Lander, and after the capture of the said Ship, he was taken out of her and put on board the said Schooner Sturdy Begger, and brought into Salem.
That your Petitioner, being in a Country where he is an entire stranger, and where from the manner of his bringing up, he is incapable of earning his living, is deprived of the necessary means of subsisting. Your Petitioner has for a number of years been much incident to the Rheumatism, even while in the West Indies and being now in so cold a Climate, he must expect that the same disorder will attack him with double violence upon the approach of Winter, unless he should be suffered to depart this Country
Your Petitioners humble Prayer therefore is th[atJ he may be suffered to take passage for London, in a Ship bound thither lately purchased by Mr Ross and others at Boston
And your Petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray
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[Endorsed] In Council [Watertown] Sept 11th 1776 Read & Ordered that the Prayer of the Petition be granted and the Said William Williams be permitted to depart from this State to any Part of Great Brittain in such Vessell as Willm Ross & Nathl Morgan (who lately obtained Liberty of this Board to depart) may purchase for that Purposeー
John Avery Dpy Secy
