May it please your Honours ー
With the profoundest respect and submission I beg leave to acquaint your Honors that the fifth of july last I took passage from this place for Philadelphia in hope of obtaining a supply of provisions for the Inhabitants here, as I had not cash to purchase the Reverend Mr James Lyon furnishd me with a letter of recommendation to his friend Jonathan Smith Esq of Philadelphia, but after the most earnest application to that gentleman & others during a months stay in the City with offers of mortgaging a considerable interest till Payment for one hundred barrels of flour, finding no probability of success & having nearly expended the trifle of money I carried with me I took passage with Captain Edward Bacon of Barnstable in a sloop loaded with flour, belonging to Colonel Doane of Welfleet, bound for said place, arriving at Barnstable, I made pressing suit to Colonel Doane offering him the same, but was here unsuccessful, I then try'd Captain Solomon Davis, Melatiah Brown Esq, and Colonel Joseph Otis of Barnstable for assistance but these gentlemen not being disposed to risque or Credit their interest and my money being gone I was obliged to sell two of three barrels of flour which I brought from Philadelphia for my family, I then met Mr Shubael Lovel of Barnstable who gave me encouragement of sending a small Schooner with some provisions to Mechias, but failing of obtaining the provisions, or fearing to risque his vessel this also fell thro', my solicitude was now turn'd to get home with all speed and going from Highannas to Nantucket with Mr Lovell he mentioned my case to Mr Timothy Fitch there, who told me if I could obtain permission for exporting Lumber to the West Indies he would supply me with provisions, in consequence of which I prosecuted a journey to Watertown, waiting on Colonel Joseph Otis and the Honourable James Bowdoin, who furnished me with recommendatory letters to the Honourable James Warren, but Collonel Warren presuming the matter would not be acceptable to the Honourable House, I returned full of anxiety & distress to Nantucket, being reduced so low as to fear I should either suffer or be obliged to solicit the hand of Charity, On arrival at Nantucket I let Mr Fitch know my Circumstances with the scituation of Mechias and inform'd him I thought I could serve that place effectually if I could go to Nova Scotia & send or carry hay from thence which we always supplyd ourselves with from said government for the support of our Cattle, Mr Fitch coincided in sentiments with me & we purchased of Captain Dunham of the Vineyard Three hundred thirteen bushels of Indian & fifteen bushels of rye Corn which was increased by a trifle of said articles & some rye flour & bread Mr Fitch had by him & we were preparing to sail when five or six people at Nantucket appeard dissatisfied on which I was advised by the Inhabitants to make application to the Committee at Falmouth, This I did & informing them what pains I had taken and at what expense I had been to serve Mechias with my earnest desire of getting home with what I could procure I obtaind their consent to sail, on which we left Nantucket in a Brigantine commanded by Captain Thomas Fossey and meeting with one vessel only which appeard to chase us, arrived at East passage, from which Place we immediately proceeded to Cape Forschue in the bay of Fundy & directly oposite Mechias, here I disposed of what was on board save a small matter sold Mr William Pitt at East passage (exclusive of what I was intitled to from a Commission allowd me & which I strictly reserved in provision to Carry to Mechias) to New england people only, who appeard real friends to the welfare of America On arrival I engaged a Schooner of one Mr Tinkham & seven Load of salt hay (no english being to be had) intending immediately on the Brig's sailing to proceed therewith for Mechias, but the Hay proving very bad & none else to be got, I faild in this but embras'd the first oportunity I could meet of getting to Mechias with my Provisions, at the expense of ten dollars.
May it please your Honours Ignorance, inadvertance & absolute necessity were the sole cause of my setting foot in the government of Nova Scotia & during my continuance there which was at Cape Forschue, I neither corresponded counteranced or associated with any of the enemies of America, but most warmly espoused the cause of Liberty & bore unfeigned testimony against the iniquitous tyranical ministerial measures & acts of Brittish parliament, nor was this confined to my tongue alone but my hand witnessed the same as leisure & oportunity gave me leave, Copies of which I humbly crave leave to lay at the feet of your Honours most solemnly declaring them to be authentic ー
May it please [your] Honours, from the first of my leaving Mechias last july to my arrival a few days since I have not ceased endeavours to serve the place to the utmost of my ability and I do most solemnly declare that nothing has, is, or can be remoter from my heart than an inclination to aid or abet the enemies of America, Liberty & Freedom and in this necessary contest am willing to risque my interest in Life and for this purpose did strictly recommend to Captain Fossay to bring a quantity of powder for the use of the Colony Therefore throwing myself at the feet of your Honours I most humbly crave for myself and distressed family your Honours Pardon and protection, and as in duty bound shall ever pray for your Honours consummate Happiness & prosperity ー
Mechias 11th May 1776 ー
