Augt. 29. 1782 Dr. Sr.,

I wrote you by Dr. Smith that you might know the state of matters, but a public Occasion prevented my getting the papers ready. Inclosed you have your Comisn. to procure Evidence by favor of which you will be entituled to pay from Governmt. I dont know wt. Effect the British Fleet at Martha’s Vinyard may have on your going on to Nantucket. I doubt not you’ll conduct with due caution & firmness, & let me know as soon as may be the result; let the Deposition you take respecting the Sloop Good Intent be taken with a proper Caption, to be used in the Tryal of the Sloop Good Intent Wm. Moore, late Master at the Maritime Court to be holden for the Middle District of the Cmnwth. of Mass. on the Libel of Ichabod Plaisted late Naval Officer for the Port of Nantucket in behalf of the Cmwth. and one of the Libels of Elkins & als taken at the request of RTP in behalf of the Cmnwlth.: the adverse Party J. Elikins &c. notified & the deponants living now.

Inclosed you also have the Order of Council respecting Beriah Norton,1 by wch. it appears he had liberty to bring Goods under certain Restrictions, he should be Watched in his Conduct. I will procure some public enquiry to be made if I can effect it.

224

You percieve the notification of the Libels in yr. County is published, they must all be continued from yr. next Court as you will see by the Law.

I have enquired abt. McFarlands affair &c.,

R.T.P.

Dft. ; endorsed: “To Brigr. Freeman Esq. sent per Hon. Mr. Spooner.”

1.

Beriah Norton (1733–1820) of Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard, was colonel of the island’s militia during the Revolution and in charge of coastal defenses. Maintaining a largely neutral stance due to its dependence upon the British navy, in 1778 the Vineyard submitted to a demand for supplies from British Maj. Gen. Charles Grey, an event locally known as Grey’s Raid. Although the British promised payment for the supplies, this was never forthcoming, and after the war Norton made personal pleas for restitution both in New York City and London but was ultimately unsuccessful (Martha’s Vineyard Museum, Finding Aid to the Beriah Norton Collection, Record Unit 120).