Sir, I am extremely sorry for the absolute necessity I am under of exhibiting to you a complaint against Admiral [Samuel] Graves.
His unjustly obstructing me in getting my property even after my submission to the heavy contribution he most arbitrarily has laid me under is the unhappy cause of this Address to your Excellency. He still without any Color of right obstinately persists in preventing me the use of lawful means to cut and make my grass on Gallop's island into hay & bringing the same to town for my own consumption.
The particulars of what hath passed between the Admiral and me from the first application to this time in that business, I beg leave to inclose for your Excellency's perusal, which will fully open to you the whole of the treatment I have received from that Gentleman.
Both as a Subject and Servant of the Crown I must beg Your Excellency's interposition that so I may obtain common justice which I[s] now denied me by Admiral Graves
I am Sir, [&c.]
Boston 27, July 1775.
