Sir,

We have received repeated Accounts of your having impressed, and detained a number of Seafaring Men, and others, who either resided in, or were occasionally at Baltimore Town, and that besides the wrong to the Individuals, it's consequences have been injurious to the Town, in deterring People from going to Market there, for fear of being treated in the same manner. ー

We do not know that you can have any Authority, under which to justify such violence, or to interfere in any manner with any Person, who has not voluntarily enlisted in the Continental Marine Service. ー If you have any Person, under Colour of his being impressed, we require you instantly to discharge him, and to forbear from a further Exercise of Such an unwarrantable Power. It is the Office of Government to protect every Subject in his Liberty and his property, nor shall we who are honoured by our Country with the highest Department, be idle Spectators of the Oppression of any man in it. We are Sir [&c.]

To Captain James Nicholson
of the Virginia

Copy. R. Ridgely Cl Cor

[Endorsed] Copy of letter from Govr Johnson to Capt Jas Nicholson April 24, 1777 Rec'd [in Congress] 28 April 1777.