War Office, Boston Decr : 23d : 1776
Messrs. Saml. & Robt Purviance, Gentlemen
The Board of War for the State of Massachusetts-Bay, having it in command among other things to procure a quantity of Flour & Iron, have taken the Liberty to inclose you Invoice & Bill Lading of Six Hogsheads of Sugar & Four Hogsheads of Rum, which wish safe to your hands; — You will dispose of the Rum & Sugar for the most you can obtain & dispatch the Schooner back with a full load of Common Flour, with the Addition of four Tons of Pig Iron — & two Tons of Bar Iron — 2
This Vessel the Board proposes shall be follow'd by several others under the like Address probably one or more of them large Vessels for Europe; not doubting from your well known establishd Character, that you will exert yourselves to give them all possible Dispatch — I am Genn. By order of the Board [&c.]
S. P. Savage Prest: P.T.
1. Mass. Arch., vol. 151, 13, Letters from the Board of War, 1776-1780.
2. Schooner Ellen, Captain Ichabod Morton, Mass. Arch., vol. 151, 393, Letters from the Board of War, 1776-1780.
