Letter from Robert Campbell

v5:784

Truro, April 5, 1776.

MAY IT PLEASE THE HONOURABLE COURT: I beg leave to inform your Honours I have a sloop on shore at Cape-Cad, put in there in distress, having thirty souls on board, and not one drop of water.

It wag with the utmost difficulty I got clear of the fleet, without the loss of the sloop, as my intention was to part them, to put into some port to repair, and to proceed to the Province of New-York, I beg such directions as may enable me to dispose of the passengers and secure my property. Should it be suggested that I may be an enemy to my country, I can produce proper testimony, if required, I have not acted any part in favour of the Ministerial Troops; but my intention is, by means of the sloop, to be useful to my country, and provide for my family.

I should have been glad to have had it in my power to make myself better known, but cannot at present, as I am illy able to hold a pen, having frozen my fingers for want of help on board.

I beg leave to subscribe myself a friend,

ROBERT CAMPBELL.

The names of the persons that arrived at this place on board the Sloop Sally, 28th March, 1776: Robert Campbell, Master; Peter Harris, Patrick Prout, Daniel Wisel, wife and child; Jolly Allen, wife and his seven children; Sally Bradford; servant maid; Lilla Coppinger, belonging to Mr˙ Allen' s family; Mrs˙ Eleanor Barry, and her five children; Mrs˙ Nancy Crowfoot and child; Mrs˙ Joanna James and her son; Mrs˙ Dolly Stone, Mary Barrett, and Elizabeth Winslow — thirty persons in number.