To the Honble the Council and Honble House of Representatives of the State of Massachusetts Bay in General Court Assembled. —

The Petition of Levi Preston late Master of the Ship Garland, lately taken by Capt Colier [Isaac Collyer] Commander of the Armed Sloop Polly and brought into the Port of Marblehead the 15th of December last, in behalf of himself and George Bennison Mate, John Rowe (an, Old Man[)] Cook, Joseph Berschanale Steward (who broke two of his Ribs lately[)]; Also for his five Servants vizt Matthew Graser, Thomas Nebrine, Wm Weldone, John Sneathe, and Mark Mackdonale, (the said Matthew Groser being now in Salem Goal for no Crime that he knows of) Also the Petition of John Taylor late Master of the Ship Content lately Taken by Capt [Israel] Thorndike of the Armed Schooner Warren, and carried in to the Port of Beverly for himself and John Anderson Mate and three Servants vizt William Randile, John Story and John Canady. Also of Elias Warren late Master of the Brig. Billey taken by the Armed Schooner named Ranger, Commanded by Roger Robbins & carried into Newbury Port.

And also of George Gray late Master of the Ship George taken by the Armed Schooner Boston, and caried into Boston Port for himself and Robert Shon his Mate, and two Servants vizt Joseph Andres, and William Pullen.

Humbly Shew

That they were taken as aforesaid and remain without any means to Support themselves, and as there is a Brig now bound to Cork in Ireland, they are desirous with your Honors leave to take passage in her

They therefore humbly pray your Honours would be pleased to permit your petitioners their People and Servants before named to take passage in the said Brig, or in any other Vessel that may offer, that so they may get home to their Families and friends again. —

And as in duty bound shall every pray &c.

Boston Jany 23d 1777