Dartmouth 1st May 1775
Sir
I am desired to acquaint you that Mr Samuel Allen (by the desire of the principal part of the Inhabitants of this Place) is sent to you to know the Minds of the Provincial Congress, whether it is most proper at this Time for the Merchants in this Place to send their Vessels and Provisions to sea or not, your early proposing the same to that Respectable Body will much oblige your most humble Servant
Lemuel Williams
1. Mass. Arch., vol. 193.