27th June 1776 On Board His Majestys Ship the Roebuck. The petition of of Catherine Sproule, Widow of the deceas'd Andrew Sproule [Sprowle] Esqr Gosport in Virginia. ー²

That whereas the memorialist did upon the 17th Currt apply to Andrew Snap[e] Hammond Commander of his Majestys Ship the Roebuck for a flag of truce to go see her son John Hunter Jnr then and now prisoner at Hallifax North Carolina. The said Capt Hammond gave her leave to go on board the Otters Tender to carry her the said Catherine Sproule on Board the Otter sloop of war Matthew Squire Esqr Commander with a flag of truce recommending her to the Commanding Officer there to permit her to go see her said son John Hunter at Hallifax: agreeable thereto Majr [James] Hendrick of the sixth Regiment of Continental troops recommended the said Catherine Sproule to Brigadier [Andrew] Lewis Commander at Williamsburg who recommended her to the Committee of safety who allowed her to write to her son but return'd her to Majr Hendrick to return her to the Fleet immediately as a person dangerous for the Committee of safety. Pursuant to the said order Majr Hendrick return'd the said Catherine Sproule on board the Fleet with a flag of truce where she was meet by an Officer from Lord Dunmore with express orders that she was not again to return to the Fleet but be sent back to the Committee of safety. Upon which the said Catherine Sproule apply'd to Capt Hammond to redress her grievances who informs her that he has no right to do so; therefore the said Catherine Sproule must take the Liberty of a free born british subject to conjure you as one of his Majestys Notary Publicks to protest against the said Lord Dunmore so as he may be liable for all the bad Consequences that may attend your petitioner and her property in Virginia. ー That whereas also the above mention'd Catherine Sproule intends immediately for her native Country, and did apply through James Ingram Esqr one of the appointed Commesioners for Prizes to apply to Lord Dunmore to prove the will & Codecil of her deceas'd Husband Andrew Sproule Esqr & furnished him with Copies thereof & that the said Lord Dunmore has neglected to complyshe the said Catherine Sproule also protests against such injustice that she may appeal to amore able Court.

Sign'd & delivered in the usual form & fees to Mr Thomas McCullock one of his Majestys Notary Publicks for the Collony of Virginia. ー

Before these Witnesses

B. Phillips acting Lieut of the Roebuck Phillips Clark Ditto

[Endorsed] That Capt Hammond did not send the said Catherine Sproule with a Rebel flag of truce but put her on Board a Schooner then ready to sail for Glasgow under his Convoy