111 | To Jeffery Amherst

    Boston May 6. 1762

    Sr.

    This day there were laid before the Council divers petitions for liberty to transport provisions to the Northward: when it appearing that this Country is like to be very much distressed if the Southern ports should not be allowed to send provisions to this Province, the people being now obliged to come from a distance to purchase provisions from the stores here for the support of their families, They therefore advise that I immediately send an express to represent this to you & desire that You will permit provisions to be coasted on giving bond, & have postponed the consideration of these petitions untill the return of the express. The Answer to a Memorial of Mr Hancocks I herewith send you a Copy of. All possible care will be taken that the liberty of coasting provisions shall not be abused from the ports of this province.

    I am, with great regard, Sr Your most obedient & most humble Servant.

    Fra. Bernard

    His Excellency Sr Jeffry Amherst.

    ALS, RC WO 34/26, f 130.

    Thomas Hancock was already permitted to transport provisions to British and provincial soldiers at Halifax, but consideration of his and other petitions regarding the coastal trade in and out of Boston was delayed pending the receipt of Amherst’s views. Amherst, however, continued the embargo (citing the recent discovery of Mons. Comte’s smuggling operations as justification) with only one non-military exception—the resourcing of settlers in Nova Scotia. Council Executive Records, 1760-1766, CO 5/823, f 156; Amherst to FB, New York, 10 May 1762, BP, 9: 281-284.