Papers of John Adams, volume 19
I do myself the Honour to inclose to your Lordship, for the Consideration of his Majestys Ministers, the Papers relative to the Brigantine Jane and Elizabeth the Property of James Sheafe and William 258 Sheafe Citizens of the United States of America; by which it appears that the Said Brigantine was taken by Force, not only from the owners, but even from the officers and Custody of the Court of Vice Admiralty, by Horatio Nelson Esquire, Commander of His Majestys Ship Boreas; whereby the innocent owners of an unoffending Vessel have been deprived of their Property, and of all the legal means of obtaining Redress, by Appeal or any other regular Course of Law.1
With great Respect I have the / Honour to be, My Lord, your / Lordships most obedient and / most humble Servant
RC and enclosures (PRO:FO 4, State Papers, vol. 6, f. 37–54); internal address: “The Right Honourable / The Marquis of Carmarthen / His Britannic Majestys Principal / Secretary of State. for foreign Affairs.”; endorsed: “Jany 21. 1788 / Mr. Adams. / Copy wth. the original / Inclosures sent to the / Admiralty 25th—” LbC (Adams Papers); APM Reel 112.
For the case of the Jane and Elizabeth, a Portsmouth, N.H., ship seized en route to Tobago by British captain Horatio Nelson, see vol. 18:427–428.