257 | To John Pownall

    Boston Der. 29. 1763

    Dear Sir

    I transmit to their Lordships an account of the condemnation of the Freemason; which being upon the 15th of Cha. 2. one would have thought could have admitted of no doubt as to the execution of it. But Lord Colville Commander in chief, in America, of his Majesty’s fleets, having perswaded himself that he is intitled to a share of whatever his Captains shall seize as Custom house Officers, tho’ not subject to the late statute, has, in a letter to the Judge of the Admiralty, made a demand of a share of this Seizure, in terms so indecent & injurious to the Governor the Judge & the Advocate general, that I can’t readily submit to it. For I must say that (not excepting myself) the King has no where three Officers of the same kind more attentive to their duty or freer from Corruption than we are. However all the resentment I have shown to this (except a postscript which I have prevailed upon the Judge to add to his Answer to his Lordships letter971) is to draw up a state of the Case, on which his Lordships claim is founded: which is done, not to satisfy Lawyers, for Such would have no doubt of this Question, but to explain a Law to those, who will not give themselves the trouble to understand it & yet will judge of it.

    I therefore desire leave to put the inclosed paper in your Hands that if this Matter should be stirred in your Office or in any other that your Office has a communication with, you would interpose it on the behalf of the American Colonies Governors. I am Sir &c

    John Pownall Esq.

    P.S. I should be glad if you would communicate the inclosed to Mr Jackson, as also any other of the papers now transmitted to you which the rules of your Office will permit.__ with Enquiry of the 2 Geo 3972

    L, LbC BP, 3: 119-120.