Hond Sir By Capt daniel Howes I have the Pleasure to Send to the Councel a Master of a Vessell taken Off our Harboar 2 The Papers Capt Howes has Will Inform as to the Carcamstances the hands taken aboard appear to be very honest men and forect into the S[e]rvice and are about Entering Aboard An armed Vessell fixing from here. Col Elisha Doan [Doane] has Sent two Vessells from Chatham to the West Indies within a fortnight and Capt Soln Davis is fixing 2 from here I hope the Honble Cou[nc]il and House Will Inquire whether these men have Leave If not I hope there Will be Proper Orders about them. I have the Honour to be yrs and the Honble Cou[nc]ells [&c.]
Joseph Otis
Barnstable Febry 1st 1776
1. Mass. Arch., vol. 194, 236.
2. The sloop Betsey, William Heath, master.