[Watertown] Monday September 9th, 1776.
Petition of Ichabod Jones setting forth, That he in May 1775, considering that the People at Machias in the Eastern part of this State were of themselves unable to procure the Provision necessary for their support, & knowing that the greatest part of them depended on him to supplythem the other Traders having declined to do it; did purchase a Quantity of Pork, Flour, & other Articles of Food, & convey the same to the People aforesaid in two Sloops belonging to him
That when arrived at Machias the Inhabitants at his Request met together, & were informed, that if they could furnish themselves in any other way with necessary provisions he would be extremely glad to be freed from the difficult, & hazardous Task ー That a great majority of them declared they could not obtain the necessary Supplies without his Assistance and desired him to continue as formerly to bring them provisions.
That afterwards by means of some of the Machias People with the Assistance of others in the neighbouring places the Vessels aforesaid, & the Person of the Petr were seized ー That at the time of the seizure the Inhabitants of Machias owed him, & Compa nearly the Sum of Four thousand pounds LMy which he is able, and ready to prove.ー
That he is lately informed they have taken possession of his Houses, Mills, & all his other Estate at Machias, & not only of the Estate of which the Petr was sole proprietor, but also of the Estate which belong'd to himself, & Partners
That he learns from an Advertisement in the Watertown Paper of Augt 19th that Libels are filed against the Vessels, & Cargo's abovemention'd before the Judge of the maritime Court for the eastern District in this State, & that the Justice of Captures is to be tried at the said Court to be holden at Pownalboro' on the 9th of September next.
That as he is confined in the Town of Northampton under large Bonds (with scanty means of subsistence) he is unable to attend himself, or to procure any person to attend in his Behalf on so short a Notice, & is greatly apprehensive, that his property therefore will be condemned, altho' if allow'd to attend the said Court with his Evidence, he persuades himself the Innocence of his Conduct would fully appear.
And praying the Hon: Court would take the Premisses into consideration, & that he may have a hearing thereupon, having no doubt on a full knowledge of his Case that he would be discharged from any further Confinement ー and that he may have liberty to attend in Person the Trial aforesaid of his Vessels at some future time, to which the said Court shall by Order of the Hon: Court be adjourned, & that in the mean time all proceedings touching the Vessels & Cargo's aforesaid may be stayed.
Resolved, That the prayer of this Petition be so far granted, that the maritime Court for the Eastern District of this State to be holden at Pownalboro' on the 9th of this Instt in order to try the Justice of the Capture of two Vessels taken from the petitioner be adjoun'd to the first Day of Octr next in order, that the petitioner by an Attorney may shew cause if any he has why the said Vessels should not be Condemned. And the Petr by his Attorney has Liberty to file his claim with the Judge of the said Maritime Court, to the said Vessel, & Appurtenances at any Time before the said first Day of October next ー And that the Judge of said Court be notified thereof by being served with a Copy of this Order.
Petition of Isaac Dodge setting forth ー That he with his Company marched upon an alarm to Glocester last November to defend a Store Briga called the Nancy taken by Capt Manly, that he has received no consideration therefor tho' the Hon: Court have allowed others that were called upon the same business ー And praying for allowance for himself & Men in said Service agreeable to the roll.
The Comtee appointed to examine the Muster Roll of Capt Isaac Dodge for Service, & Travel of himself, & Co from Ipswich to Glocester 29th Novr 1775, have attended that Service, & beg leave to report, that they find the same right cast, & well vouched, & inasmuch as said service was for the Protection of a Prize taken by Capt Manly in the Continental Service, that the said Roll be paid out of the Treasury of this State, & charg'd to the Continent. all which is humbly submittedー
Resolved, That there be allowed, & paid out of the public Treasury of this State to the within named Isaac Dodge, or his Order the sum of Twenty two pounds four shillings, & ten pence for the use of himself, Officers, & Men (who were employed in the Continental Service) in full discharge of his Roll.
Petition of Thomas Melvill, for himself & others ー setting forth ー That they have at a great expence equipt, & fitted the Schr Speedwell Jona Greely Commander with ten Carriage Guns, & every necessary warlike Implement for a Cruize against the Enemies of the American States; but for the want of about 700 lb wt of powder, said Schr is detained in the Harbor, and unable to proceed on her intended Cruise ー And praying for a supply of 700 lb wt of powder, &c.
Resolved that the Commissary General be, & he is hereby directed to deliver out of the Store belonging to this State [(] or order the same to be delivered at the powder Mill in Stoughton) Five hundred pounds of Gunpowder to Thomas Melvill he the said Melvill paying Six shillings p pound to the said Commissary for the same ー the Commissary General to be accountable for the money so Received. ー