Letter from William Watson to General Washington

v4:448

Plymouth, December 23, 1775.

SIR: The bearer, Captain Samuel Jackson, comes with six prisoners, (a midshipman and five sailors,) put by Captain Talbot, of the Niger frigate, on board the brigantine Peton; which brigantine was taken by said frigate about eighteen days ago, near the Island of Bermuda, and ordered into Boston. This brigantine was retaken last Wednesday, by our people, and was brought into this port. Captain Jackson, the bearer of this, will acquaint your Excellency with the particulars, as he had a principal hand in retaking her. This Mr˙ Jackson is a zealous, active, worthy friend to his country, and has been principal in taking all the prizes which have been brought into this port by private vessels. Jacob Taylor, a friend and relative of this Mr˙ Jackson, was mate on board Captain Martindale, (who was taken by the enemy some time since, for which I am sincerely sorry,) has a large family, and in poor circumstances, which must suffer much unless some way can be devised for his redemption. I am very unwilling to give your Excellency trouble, and must ask your pardon when I, at the very earnest request of Taylor' s friends and unhappy family, ask your Excellency whether it is not possible to exchange Mr˙ Curtis, the Midshipman, for Taylor, and when I entreat your Excellency to interpose in behalf of this miserable family, and of an unhappy man, who has conducted with dignity, and has been very active in the noble cause in which we are engaged, from the beginning.

I am your Excellency' s much obliged, most humble servant,
WILLIAM WATSON.

To His Excellency George Washington, Esq.