Elizabeth Town, March 14, 1775
Sir,
Inclosed I send you the affidavit of Samuel Lee, boatman, relative to the unloading part of the cargo of the Ship Beulah, which needs no comment.
I am, however, particularly desired by our Committee earnestly to request of your committee to protect Mr. Lee, as far as lies in their power, from any insults on account of this affair. He is a person well known here to be of good character, and who by his honesty and industry, has justly acquired the esteem of all the inhabitants of this town. And it is the opinion of our committee, he was unwarily led to act the part he did, as will in part appear by his affidavit. I will only add, that we should be glad that whereever the affidavit shall be read, this letter may be read also.
By order of the committee,
Jonathan Hampton, Chairman