Sir,

Yesterday, Capt. [James] Wallis [Wallace] of His Majesty's Ship Rose, stationed in this Harbor, stopped a small Sloop, bound to Providence with a Quantity of Flour, consigned to Mr John Brown, Merchant in that Town, who was a Passenger on board said Sloop, with a regular Sufferance from the Custom House for the Flour; notwithstanding which, Capt. Wallis detained Mr Brown on board His Majesty's Ship Swan, and contrary to my Request for liis dismission has sent him round to Boston, to the very great Distress of his Family and numerous Connexions ー The Pretext Capt Wallis may have for so extraordinary a Proceeding, I am not acquainted with as he has not answered the letter I wrote him in behalf of Mr Brown; nor given me the least Information in that Matter, which renders it necessary I shou'd address your Excellency in behalf of this unfortunate injured Gentleman, and to assure you, that he is a Person of considerable Fortune, One of the largest Traders in the Colony, and universally esteemed; his detention, Sir, will also be attended with the most ruinous Consequences to his Business, he being Owner of a large Number of Vessels, many of which are hourly expected from different Voyages; Considering these Circumstances and the peculiarly hard fate of Mr. Brown, in being forced out of his Business, and sent such a Distance from Home, I hope your Excellency will excuse me, when I intreat you to exert your Influence in this Affair, that Mr Brown may, without too great loss of Time, be restored to his Family and Business ー I have the Honor to be, with great Respect Your Excellency's [&c.]