The Memorial of Consider Howland of Plymouth Humbly sheweth

That he was master of the Brigantine Washington in the service of the United States: & had the Misfortune to be taken by a British Ship of War on the third day of December 1775. Since which he has suffered great Hardships haveing been sent to England & there Confined on Board a Man of War for five months,& then brought [to] Hallifax & Confined in Goal there five months longer, from thence was removed to New York & there Confined on Board a Guard Ship &c. & dureing the whole time suffered great Hardships & Severities. that your Memorialist is now Liberated only for six weeks from the 25th of Decemr last on his parole to return in Case Mr John Loring is not returned in Exchange for him. That he by verbal Agreement is to be discharged if any other Marine Officer of the rank of Midshipman, Mate or prize Master be so returned. That he finds that Mr Loring is already gone off in a flagg to Hallifax. That his Attachment to the Cause of his Country is such that he deprecates the necessity of being obliged to return to the Enemies of his Country he therefore prays that your Honours would take his Case into your Immediate Consideration & releive him from that Necessity which he Conceives his Honour & Faith pledged will Otherways Oblige him to submit to & order some Officer of either of the Ranks Aforesd now a prisoner in this State to be Exchanged for him or otherways releive him, as your Honours in your great Wisdom shall think proper

Boston Jany 9, 1777 —