Majesty’s Forces in America.

Nantucket in Behalf of himself and many others Inhabitants of

the said Island,

That the chief Occupation of the Inhabitants of the said Island, hath ever been the Cod and Whale Fishery in which they now employ above One hundred Sail of Vessels.

That since the Reduction of Canada by his Majesty’s Arms under the Conduct of your Excellency, they have entred the great Gulph of St. Laurence with their Whaling Vessels, and have met with extraordinary Success there in that Fishery.

That they could carry on the same with still greater Advantage to themselves and to the Publick if they had some Settlement in or near the said Gulph, which they might make a Home for themselves and Families, and where the Land would be capable of producing Corn and feeding Cattle for their better Subsistence. That some of them did the last Summer look into several Harbours and Places round the said Gulph of St. Laurence to see if any could be found suitable for that purpose; and have reported, that the Island of St. Johns, (which was early in the War reduced by your Excellency, and the French Inhabitants removed) is extreamly well situated to carry on the said Fishery, and has all the other Requisites for a comfortable Settlement.

A considerable Number therefore of the Inhabitants of Nantucket, induc’d by these Conveniences, as well as for that they are over populous and greatly straitned for Room in the Island they at present inhabit, would remove to the said Island of St. Johns, if they might be permitted so to do, and could obtain a Grant of Lands there for their Settlement.

And as many of them are desirous of making a Beginning there the ensuing Summer, they humbly pray your Excellency to grant them such Permission; and that you would also appoint Lands for them on the said Island, to be held on such Terms and under such Government as his Majesty in his Wisdom shall hereafter direct, which Terms they have no doubt will be good and encouraging; and that your Excellency would moreover in your Goodness recommend this Settlement to his Majesty that it may as soon as possible obtain the Royal Countenance and Protection.

And your Petitioners, as in Duty bound, shall ever pray, &c.