To the Honble. Council of the State of Massachusetts bay.—
The Navy Board for the Eastern Department Beg leave to represent That Seamen are much wanted for manning the Continental Ships and particularly the Boston now in this Harbour
That they are Informed there are among the Prisoners now here a Number of Swede & Dutch and Some British Seamen who would readily enter the Service if permitted That we conceive it would promote the public Service to permit all the Foreign Seamen and a few of the British to Enter on board the Continental Ship if they incline and therefore propose to the Consideration of the HonbIe Council the Propriety of Granting to the Commander of the Boston Liberty to lnlist as many of the Foreign Seamen as shall incline and such a number of the British Seamen as he shall think proper to take1—We are [&c.]
Warren Jno. Deshon
Boston Novemr. 18. 1777
L, M-Ar, Mass. Archives Collection, vol. 168 (Council Papers), 21-21A. Docketed: "Representation of the/Navy Board for the/Eastern Department/Novr. 25th 1777/Committed to Honl./Benj: Austin Esqr.."
1. Attached note reads: "In Council Novr. 25 1777 Read & Ordered that the Prayer & the within Petition be so far Granted that the Commissary of Prisoners be and he hereby is directed to permit William White a Virginian and Menisi Martini a Frenchmen two Sailors now on Board the Guard Ship Rising Empire to inlist on Board the Continental Frigate Boston Hector McNeil Esqr Commander if they should consent thereto and no Others Jno. Avery Dy Secy."
