[Watertown] Saturday, March 16, 1776
Petition of James Holmes setting forth that in the Transport Ship called the Friendship, lately cast a Shore on Cape Cod, wheyeof he was Master, and had a considerable sum of money (his oin private cash) to the amount of Three hundred and Seventy-Five dollars, the whole of which together with a Gold Watch, and his wearing apparell, were taken from him by the Captors of the Ship ー part of the money has since been expended, in bringing the Crew of said Ship to head Quarters, so that only Two hundred and Twenty-Five dollars now remains in the Captors Hands, by which means your Petitioner is reduced to the most necessitous Circumstances destitute of a single farthing to subsist on, in a Country where he has neither Friends or Connexions, and where he has no other dependence, but on the Characteristic benevolence and Hospitality of Americans. He recognizes with Gratitude your Honors recommendation to the Captors to return his Wearing apparel ー and he humbly begs that you will add to that recommendation a Return of his private monies, in order that he may be able to support himself in some degree of Reputation, till he shall have an Opportunity to return home.
Resolved that it be recommended to the Selectmen of the Town of Truro, that they return to Capt James Holmes Seventy-Five dollars, part of the Cash that he claims as his Private property on Board the Friendship lately run ashore in said Town, for said Capt Holmess necessary support, till Trial of said vessel can be had, or further order of this Court.