I the Subscriber Being of Lawful age Do Testify That Being in a Coasting Sloop [the Polly] Belonging to Arundel and on my Return from Plimouth was taken By a Cutter Belonging to Admiral Graves Squadron in Boston & carried in to that Port & their Detaind Several Days & Being Solliscited by Admiral Graves' Secretary to Enter into His majestys Service and knowing no other way wherein I Could Possibly make my Escape I Enterd into Sd Service to Go to Winsor in Nova Scotia for Hay & other things, and Haveing one Josiah Jones Put on Bord as factor. and Being Ready to Sail I Desird of the Capt of our Convoy Leave to Sail But He told me I must not Sail til to morrow att ten o: Clock as their was a Number other vessels in the same Employ & Should all Sail together I then Desird Leave [of] Mr Jones to Hall off into the Road & obtaind Leav it Being Dark & I Got Consent of our factor mr Jones to Sail I therefor Embracd the oppertunity & Emmediatly Saild for Arundel where I arrivd in about twenty four Ours and Deliverd up mr Jones & one Jonat Hicks Who was Intraducd on Board my Sloop By mr Jones But for what Purpos I cannot tell. and further Saith that Mr Jones Desird Me to oil and Clean the fire arms that was Put on Board to Defend our Selves as He Said the Rebels might attak us on our Passage
Samuel Smith
Watertown June 9th 1775
1. Mass. Arch., vol. 138, 115.