Thomas Newberry late Superintendant of the Ship Mellish Bound to Quebec, taken by J Jones Esqr Commander of the Alfred, Humbly begs leave of the Honle Council permission to return to England by a Ship from this place which sails in a few days. He flatters himself from assurances which Captn Bradford the Agent gave him, & the kind Indulgence he has either too [sic hitherto] met with from the Honble Council since he has been here, that they will be pleas'd to take his Situation into Consideration, & kindly permit him to return, which will enable him to act according to the principals he has ever adopted, & will be remember'd With the greatest gratitude, by their Petitioner

Boston Jany

[Endorsed] State of Massachusetts Bay —
In the House of Representatives Feby 1st 1777 —

The Committee on the within Petition beg leave to report, That the prayer of the within Petition be so far granted that the sd Thomas Newberry have leave to depart this State in one of the Ships that is now fitting out from this State to France by the Honble the Board of War & be under such further restrictions as they shall think proper —