Boston Ss:
At a Meeting of the Selectmen April 21, 1777
Present Messrs [John] Scollay, [Thomas] Greenough, Williams, Gustavus Fellows, [John] Preston, [Harbottle] Dorr.
Capt Allen Hallet from Martinique attended & informs that he left that place the 28 March last in the Sloop Republic, with 19 Men. that in about 8. or 9 Days. one of his Men was taken with the Small Pox and d_ied, one is now sick and five liable to it & now complaining. ー his Cargoe consists of 150 hhds Salt, 1200 Stand of Arms & 13 or 14 thousand pounds weight of Powder ー whereupon the following Directions were given ー Vizt
Capt Allen Hallet
Boston April 21, 1777
The Sloop Republick of which you are Master being arrived in the Harbour from the West Indies with the Small Pox on board. Our directions are that you proceed immediately to Rainsfords Island with your Vessel Marriners & Passengers in order to have your Vessel and everything liable to Infection well smoked and cleansed by Mr Hartley Keeper of the Hospital on said Island.
You are not to permit any Person to leave the Sloop or come on board her without our permission, everything on board that will give infection ー Mr Hartley will receive from you into the Warehouse.
You may deliver the naked Arms & the Powder to the Person whom the Board of War may employ to receive them. Our further directions will be given Mr. Hartley ー
By Order of the Selectmen
William Cooper Town Clerk
Mr Samuel Hartley
Boston April 21, 1777
The Sloop Republick Allen Hallet Master from Martinique having the Small Pox on board is ordered to your Island, you are therefore to take on shore into the Hospital House those that are sick of that Distemper, and those that are liable to the distemper, you are to put into the Well house, you are to take on shore (after smoking them on board) all Goods, Bedding & Clothing liable to Infection & sufficiently air and cleanse them, those Persons that are not liable to take the Small Pox after being sufficiently smoked &cleansed &having a fresh shift of Clothes you may permit to leave the Island ー the Vessel you are to smoke and cleanse ー and when the Vessel with the goods are sufficiently smoked & cleansed you are to report to us for our further Orders. You may deliver the naked Arms & the Powder to the Order of the Board of War.
By Order of the Selectmen
Wiliam Cooper Town Clerk
