Boston 11th July 1776
Sir
These Serves Just to Inclose you Capt [Nicholas] Johnsons Rect for thirty Eight Charldron Coal 2 which I wish safe to hand and am with all due Respects [&c.]
J. Bradford
Boston 9th July 1776
[Enclosure] Received on Board the schooner First Attempt my self master Thirty ー Eight Seven Charldron Sea Coal for Acco of the thirteen united Colonies. ship'd by John Bradford which I promise to deliver at philadelphia to the Order of the Honble John Hancock Esqr the danger of the Sea and Risque of the Enemys Excepted: for which I have Sign'd two Receipts one of which being Comply'd with the other to be void
37 Charldron
Nicholas johnson
1. Charles Roberts Autograph Collection, 720, Box 1, HCL.
2. The First Attempt was to go under convoy of the Continental sloop Providence, Captain John Paul Jones. See report of Lieutenants John Peck Rathbun and William Grinnell to Jones, July 16, 1776.