Pensacola the 29th of March 1777
His Excellency the Governor laid before the Board a Letter which he had received from Captain [Thomas] Lloyd of the Atalanta Sloop of War which is as follows
Sir
As His Majestys Ship under my Command and the other armed Vessels here at present are ordered upon Immediate Service, but being short of the Established Compliment of Seamen, which cannot be compleated without impressing I Beg you would be Pleased to give an order for my raising seamen either on Board Merchant Ships, or on Shore. I am Sir [&c.]
T​s Lloyd
Atalanta Pensacola
Harbour 27 March 1777
Upon which the Board are of Opinion that the act of Parliament 19th of George the Second chap: 30th, authorizing the Governors and Councils of the Sugar Colonies in Cases of necessity to allow of Pressing does not apply to the Colonies in North America And as the act of the 6th. of Queen Ann[e] Chap. 37, Sect. 8 which restrains Pressing in america does not impower them to give their approbation for this Measure they cannot advise his Excellency to Comply with Capt. Lloyd's request and they further Recommend as there is a Vagrant Act in the Province that the Magistrates be desired to apprehend all Vagrants and Idle Seamen on Shore and to Deliver them over to the officers of His Majesty's Ships that may require them to compleat their Compliment.