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To the Honourable the Congress of the Colony of NEW-YORK:
The Petition of GEORGE COFFIN, of the Island of NANTUCKET, humbly showeth:
That your Petitioner, as well as his neighbours of said Island, being in great want of the common necessaries of life, did, in conjunction with Mr˙ Abraham H˙ Van Vleek, of the city of New-York, load a vessel, in said city, with provisions for the Island above-mentioned, in direct violation of a resolve of the honourable the Continental Congress. And, although the said provisions were, bona fide, intended for said Island, and there landed, agreeable to the express orders of the said Abraham H˙ Van Vleek, which
GEORGE COFFIN.
January 3, 1776.
Petition of George Coffin, of Nantucket, to the New-York Congress
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orders were, "to go out by the Hook, and carefully avoid all men-of-war and tenders," (and which were punctually complied with by your Petitioner,) yet as loading and carrying the said provisions was contrary to the aforesaid resolve, as also to the intention of your honourable House, and the sentiments of the good people of this Colony, and America in general, your Petitioner is truly sensible of his crime in so doing, and sincerely promises not to act, or do any thing, in future, in violation of the said resolve, or any resolves of their or your honourable Houses; and humbly asks the pardon of all his countrymen for this, his first offence, which he hopes may be granted, and that he may be restored to their favour again, and have liberty to pass unmolested about his employments. And your Petitioner will ever pray.