The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

BOSTON, March 3.

The Committee of the true born Sons of Liberty, ever intent on the good of their Fellow Subjects, and determined to use their utmost Efforts to prevent even the Appearance of Slavery, having heard a Report that some of those Badges were bro't in Capt. Kirkwood, who arrived here last Saturday se'nnight from England; on Wednesday last sent the following Letter to his Owner.

SIR,

THE Town of Boston being generally ac-quainted notwithstanding what Captain Kirkwood has said to the contrary, that he has Stamp-Paper on board his Vessel, and Intelligence of the same being given to the Sons of Liberty; They out of Regard to your Interest, hereby de-sire that you would immediately give Orders to the said Captain to have them forthwith taken out of your Vessel, and be reposited with those which have never yet seen the Light at Castle William; otherwise they cannot tell what the Consequence will be before the Morning. A Compliance with the above, may, by a speedy Answer, prevent bad Consequences.

Your's sincerely,

Boston, Feb. 26, 1766.

To Mr. Lewis Deblois.

The ANSWER.

To the Gentlemen the Sons of Liberty.

I have just received yours, respecting your Suspicion of their being a Number of Stamp Papers on board Capt. Kirkwood's Ship--As Owner of said Ship, I assure you that there is not one Stamp-Paper on board said Ship to my Knowledge. So help me God. Your humble Servant.

Boston, Feb. 27.

LEWIS DEBLOIS.

The above not being fully satisfactory; they afterwards waited on Captain Kirkwood to know the Truth of said Report; when he declared to them, that he had absolutely refused to take them when in England, and that there were no American Stamps brought in his Vessel to his Knowledge; which he freely offered to swear to, and several Hundred being assembled at the Court-House on the Occasion, the following Affidavit was read and sworn to, viz.

"WHEREAS it is this Day reported, that I have brought Stamp Papers in the Ship Endeavour from London, myself Master:

"I do now in the Presence of Almighty God solemnly Swear, that I never did, by myself, or any other Person for or under me, with my Knowledge, Privity or Consent, take, order or allow to be taken, directly or indirectly, on board said Ship, any Stamp Paper, tho' a large Sum was offered to be paid for Freight of the Same: Nor have I any Reason to believe or suspect, that there are now, or ever were any American Stamp Papers of any Kind on board my said Ship Endeavour, from the beginning of the World to this 26th Day of February, 1766. James Kirkwood."

Suffolk, ss. Boston the 26th of February 1766.

The above named James Kirkwood, made Oath to the Truth of the above-written Affidavit.

Before Richd. Dana, Justice of Peace.