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C.S.C.
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[W. Stone to Council.]
Baltimore 21st November 1776.
Honourable Sirs.
Last time I had the Honour to attend your Body, I took the
Liberty to represent the great Hardship I should be under, if
my vessel should fall into the hands of the Enemy, or be lost
by any casuality or stress of Weather in her passage to the
West Indies or Back, as I am in no manner secured and as
your Honours would not give any security or satisfaction in
case of Loss; — I was constrained to apply to Baltimore
County Court for a writ of replevin to endeavour to procure
some indemnification. The writ of Replevin was delivered
to the Sheriff of this county to serve, in consequence of which
he went to the Point where my brig lay, with intention to
execute the Writ, accompanyed by the appraisers and myself,
when the Sheriff was most violently opposed by Captain
Martin the Crew, and others he had collected for the purpose,
threatning to shoot wound or distroy him or any other person
who should come on board, altho the Sheriff acquainted Capt
Martin that he was not to come on board in any illegal
manner, but that had a proper writ of Replevin issued forth
of Baltimore County Court. After the Sheriff had delivered
the vessel to me, by laying his hands on the Gunwall (which
was the only manner he could make delivery) Capt Martin
with some others, cast the vessel loose from the wharf, and
carried her in the stream, at such a distance as put her out of
my reach, and still forcibly detains her. I therefore have
thought proper to inform your Honours of the whole pro-
ceeding, and to request you will permit no person immediately
under you, to so grossly violate the Civil Authority, which you
have declared should be held sacred and unviolated. As Capt.
Martin has in this instance in a most daring manner opposed
and put at defiance the Civil authority, I hope your Honour
will give the most immediate and posetive orders to him, to
deliver the vessel to me, or not suffer him to depart the
Province with her without my consent untill the matter is
settled: — and not in a manner under your own sanction,
countenance a proceeding of so dangerous a Nature. I repeat
again that it much distresses me to have taken this course,
and nothing but a view of securing myself should ever have
compeled me as I saw no other remedy to secure myself in
case of accedents.
In hopes of your Speedy and favourable answer I have the
Honour to be with greatest respect, Sirs,
Your most obedient Humble Servt
William Stone
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