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Council Chamber, Watertown, July 16, 1776.
SIR: Messrs˙ Jackson, Tracy & Tracy, merchants of
Newburyport, are very solicitous to procure a release of the
officers and men of their late Privateer Yankee Hero, which
was taken, after a brave and manly resistance, by the Milford frigate; they are now in the hands of our enemies.
They take leave to recommend their case to your Excellency' s consideration, not doubting but you will attend to
any application made to you on their behalf, by the gentlemen above named, and afford every reasonable assistance to
accomplish their benevolent purpose; and if they should be
happy enough to effect it, it will give us a particular pleasure,
as those men, by their past conduct, merit our regard, and
We cannot neglect this opportunity of recommending to
your Excellency' s particular consideration the case of Mr˙
James Lovell, who suffered a long and severe imprisonment
in Boston, and was carried off in the fleet to Halifax, where he has remained a close prisoner ever since. His enemies
have not been able to fix any crime upon him, and when he
has repeatedly desired to be brought to a trial, they have
always declined it. We are very desirous to procure his
liberation; and if there is a possibility of effecting it, should
esteem it a favour if your Excellency would give in exchange
for him any prisoner you may think proper.
In behalf, and by order of the Council, I am your Excellency' s most obedient and most humble servant,
To His Excellency George Washington, General and Commander-in-Chief of the Forces of the United States of America, New York.
Letter from the Massachusetts Council to General Washington
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v1:381
should they be obtained, may be greatly serviceable in the
American Army.
B˙ GREENLEAF.