The Petition of George Child Humbly Sheweth, That your Petitioner being bound from Jamaica to Bristol, in the Ship St Lucea Loaded with Sugar & Rum, was taken by Capt Eleazer Giles of Beverly Commander of the Brigantine Retaliation and was Sent with his sd Ship into Said Beverly where it is probable his Sd Ship & Cargo will Soon be condemned,² the Captors having Generously Given him his adventure, which is Sufficient to purchase a Small Schooner, with which he is desireous of Returning to his family Therefore your petitioner Humbly prays yours Honors, to permit him to proceed from Beverly to Bristol, in a Schooner about fifty tons with Ballast & Stores Sufficient for Such a Voyage, with Ten men besides him-self, Sd Schooner to be fitted out &c under the Inspection of the Committee of Corrispondence Inspection & Safety of Said Beverly, or other wise Releave your Petitioner as you in your Great wisdom Shall See fit. and your Petitioner as in Duty bound Shall Ever pray.

[Endorsed] State of Massa Bay in Council [Watertown] Octo 30. 1776 ー On the Petition of George Child late Master of the Ship St Lucia Ordered That the Prayer of the said Petition be so far granted as that the said Capt Child be permitted to depart from this State by taking passage in any Vessell that may be going hence for Europe or the West India's & that he be permitted to take with him necessary Stores for his Passage under the Direction of the Committee of Corrs Inspection & Safety of the Town of Beverly