To the Honorable the Council of the Masachusetts Bay the Petition of William Smith
Humbly Sheweth
That your Petitioner, was taken on the Tenth day of November Last, in the Ship La Soye Planter, by the Brigantine Freedom John Clouston Commander, Belonging to this State, And that as your Petitioner has not heard any thing of his Late Ship's arrival at any of the Ports in this State, thinks that She may have been Retaken,2 And as he has no means of Subsistance here, Prays your Honours he may have leave to go in one of the Carteels intending for New York from this Place, in Exchange for Capt Bowers Prize Master of the above Ship in Case She Should be at New York, or any other of Equal rank.
And as in Duty Bound Shall Ever Pray
Boston 1st January
1777
[Endorsed] In Council Jany 1st 1777 Read & Ordered, That the Prayer of the above Petition be granted, and that the Said Petitioner have and th[at] he hereby has Liberty to go in said Cartel Vessel for the Purpose of being Excha[nged]
Jno Avery Dpy Secy
