Province of Nova scotia

To all whom it may Concern By this publick Instrument of Protest Be it Known and made manifest that on the twenty Seventh day of December One thousand Seven hundred and Seventy Six before me James Brenton Notary and Tabellion publick by Royal Authority Admitted and Sworn and now dwelling at Halifax in the province aforsd personally Came John Hitch late master of the Sloop success and made this his protest in manner and form following vizt That on the Sixteenth day of September AD 1775. he sailed from Boston in New England for the province of Nova scotia in the service of Government and that on the thirtieth day of November following being on his return from Nova Scotia with refreshments for the Garrison at Boston he was attackt and taken off Boston Lighthouse by an armed American Schooner and carried into Salem in the province of the Massachusetts bay. where his sd Vessell and her Cargo were taken from him ² and himself detained a prisoner at Northampton in said province untill the fourteenth of December instant at which time he sailed in a Cartel Sloop bound to Halifax in Nova scotia. where he arrived on the twenty Sixth Instant of all which matters and things the said master hath desired me to make a publick Act.

Wherefore I the said Notary have and do hereby Solemnly protest against the sd armed Schooner her Commander and Crew for the Seizing taking and detaining sd Sloop and her Cargo. and for all Costs Damages and expenses that hav[e] or may Accrue by reason thereof —