Boston. 13th Decr 1776
Sir
I have only time to acquaint you (the post this moment Going off) that the Brig Elisabeth John Palmer master from Marsailles is arrived below, sent in by the Eagle privateer — the same that sent in the Fanny Commanded by another man the pretext they have for sending her in is that the Captain Obstanately protested that he would go to [New] York because so Ordered I find the Cargo Consists of W ollens Blankets & Linnens 2
1. John Bradford Letter Book, vol. 1, LC.
2. Both the Elizabeth and Fanny were operating for the Secret Committee of Congress. Elijah Freeman Payne commanded the Massachusetts privateer Eagle when the Fanny was seized, and Barzilla Smith had the same privateer when the Elizabeth was taken.
