Memorial of John Norberg, Captain Norberg permitted to go to Great Britain with all his effects

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The Memorial of John Norberg, Esq˙, together with the several Certificates attending the same, were read; and the Memorial and Certificate of B˙ Romans were filed. It appearing thereby to this Congress that Captain Norberg is in such a state of health as that tenderness and humanity to him demand our consent to his going to Great Britain, for the restoration of his impaired constitution; and it also appearing to the Congress that Captain Norberg has with the strictest honour behaved towards the inhabitants of the American Colonies, as a soldier and a gentleman,

Resolved, That Captain Norberg be permitted to go to Great Britain, with all or any such of his effects as he may choose to remove; and it is hereby recommended to all persons in this Colony not to interrupt Captain Norberg in his removal with his said effects.

To the most respectable Gentlemen of the Provincial Congress, NEW-YORK: — I beg leave to present to the most respectable Congress this circurmstance; I am a native of Sweden, and have been persecuted for that. I have been against the French faction there. I have been in His Britanick Majesty' s service since January, 1758. I have been twice shot through my body here last war in America, and I am now sixty five years old, reduced by age, wounds, and gravel, which may be seen by Doctor Jones' s certificate. In 1773 I got permission in Jamaica to go to London, where I petitioned to be an invalid oflicer, but, as a foreigner, I could not enjoy a commission in England or Ireland. His Majesty was graciously pleased to give me the allowance for Fort-George, (seven shillings sterling per day,) with liberty to live where I please in America, because the fort has been abandoned this eight years, and only two men remain there, to assist any express going between New-York and Canada.

I arrived here in New-York last year, in September, with intention to live in New-York, As I heard nothing else than disharmony amongst gentlemen, which was not agreeable to my age, I resolved to go to Fort-George, and live there in a little cottage as an hermit, where I was very happy for six months.

The 12th of May last Mr˙ Romans came and took possession of Fort-George. Mr˙ Romans behaved very genteel and civil to me. I told him that I did not belong to the army, and I may be considered as a half-pay officer or invalid, and convinced him that I was plagued with gravel. Mr˙ Romans gave me his passport to go to New-Lebanon to recover my health; and he told me that, in regard to my age, I may go where I please.

As I can' t sell any bill for my subsistence, and I can' t live upon wind and weather, I therefore beg and implore the most respectable Congress' s permission to go to England; and I intend to go to my native country. I could have gone away, surely, as well as some others have done; but I will not, upon any account, do such a thing. I hope the most respectable Congress will not do partially, to refuse me, because Major Etherington, Captain Brown and Captain Kelly, who are in the army, have been permitted to go to England; and it may happen they return here again on actual service, which old age and infirmities render me incapable of.

As it is the custom amongst the Christian nations and the Turks, that they give subsistence to every prisoner according to their rank, should the most respectable Congress have any claim upon me to be a prisoner here, I hope they will give me my subsistence from the 12th of May last, according to my rank as Captain. I implore the favour of the most respectable Congress' s answer.

I have the honour to remain, with great respect, gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servant,
JOHN NORBERG.

NEW-YORK, December 21, 1775.