Boston sepr 15th 1776
[Extract] Dr Sr
Mr Austin is kind eno' to let me know that he is just going to set out for Philadelphia I thought I would imbrace the opportunity to let you know That we & our Ta[u]nton friends are all well ー Capt Manley's appeal from a Judgment of a maritime court to The Congress is The occasion of Mr Austin's Journey ー Altho' The capture of the Vessell2 with Stolen good[s] belonging to several Merchants here is a lucky affair upon the whole, yet The trouble & expence attending the tryals at Portsmouth & Phila will settle a great loss upon the owners of the goods even Tho' They should be restored to them ー It was generous in them to offer Manly El000 Sterling after they were cleared by the Jury ー I cannot see upon what principle the Jury could have condemned them. They were not the property of the enemy, nor treasure trove, but stolen goods: & it is every mans duty to detest Thieves.ー
Our coast is infested with several Frigates & Cutters who frequently take our vessells & retake our prizes, Is it impossible to equip our Ships of War lately built ? If they are not soon at sea this town will be [i]n a distressed Condition, we shall not be supplyed with fuel for the approaching winter.ー
1. Robert Treat Paine Papers, MassHS.
2. The brig Elizabeth taken by Manley's squadron on April 2, 1776, containing goods looted from the merchants' stores and warehouses in Boston at the time of the British evacuation. See Volumes 4 and 5.
