Colonial Williamsburg Digital Library

Since myne to y.^r Hon:^r of y^e 19.th Instant
to w^ch I humbly Referr, being Returned w.^th
the Presd:^t from y^e Southern part. of this Coun-
try, I had Information yesterday morning
at 4 a Clock y^t a small Barqu^e Called y^e—
Swallow from y^e Canaryes Joshua Westm:^r
burthen about 40 tons was plying neer y^e
Shore between Cape Cod & Cape Anne, about
3 Leagues distant from Nantasket, I
Straigtway went aboard y^e Rose Frigott Cap:^tt
George Comand.^er Riding at Anchor in
Boston Harbour, and Desired him to man—
out his Longboate w^th 4 Pattarero's and—
bring y^e said Barqu^e under Comand of
th^e Castell, w^ch was Accordingly done ab.^t
2 in y^e afternoon, the Master Came to Enter
his Pink w^th [illegible], but y^e Presed:^t would not ad-
mit him, I then Seized her & her Loadeing
for his Mat:^e in order to her tryall./ about
60 ton burthen, this Afternoon, the Pink
S[uccess of Chester] Joshua Glover master
came to an Anchor in Nantasket Road:
he came to y^e Presed.^t & my Selfe Desireing—
&c [are] to Wood & Watter pretending hee had—
been a Long tyme at Sea, and was bound from
London to Virginia, he produced his [Cerquitry]
but not being Satisfactory the Presedent orde-
red him to be brought under Comand of y^e Castle, I intend to go on board her & seize her & Loading
w^ch is most Scotch goods in order to her tryall & Condem-
nation:

I have provided boates & my men are
Diligent, but I dare not Expose my selfe or them as farr
as Nantasket w^ch lyes a League below & out of Com-
and of y^e Castle: When his Maj:^e shall Graciouly
please to favo.^r us w^th an Assembly wee shall bee able
to Raise money to Keep a smale vessell of about
30 or 40 tons out at sea w^th 6 or 8 small Gunny—
& well man'.^d w^ch will be very Serviceable in-
plying between ou.^r Capes & will wholy Confound
the Interlopeing trade;

30 June 1686
Copy of a letter
to ye Comm.^er of
his Ma.^s Customes