Primary tabs
Humbly sheweth the Representatives in some of the Towns in the County of Lincoln, in behalf of said County, that the unhappy dispute between England and the United Colonies in America, whereby the exportation of lumber has ceased, and the providence of God in a great measure cutting off our hopes from the English harvest by drought and mildew, have at present rendered bread extremely scarce amongst us, and unless supplied from abroad we must be soon wholly destitute of it; and that such is the laudable jealousy and zeal of the people in said County for the cause of liberty, that no vessel is permitted to sail with lumber for corn to any port without license first obtained from the General Court, the expense and delay of which would, in almost all cases, wholly hinder the voyage: Wherefore, your petitioners humbly
THOMAS RICE,Petition of Thomas Rice and others
v3:342
v3:343
pray your Honours that the Committees of Correspondence in the several Towns and Plantations in said County may be authorized grant permits to such masters of vessels as live within their respective Districts, and are known to be friendly to the cause of liberty, and are willing to risk their lives and interest, to sail to any of the Southern Colonies with lumber to procure provisions without molestation from any person amongst us; or otherwise relieve said inhabitants as your Honours in your wisdom shall think proper. And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, shall ever pray.
WILLIAM JONES,
DUMMER SEWALL,
BENJ˙ WOODBRIDGE,
WILLIAM HOWARD,
MOSES DAVIS.
August 15, 1775.