“5 Men 4 Women 4 Boys 1 Girl belonging to Mr. Wm. Vryne. “9 Men 1 Woman belonging to Mr. Anthony Pawley. “1 Man belonging to Mr. Thomas Todd. “2 Men 3 Women belonging to Mr. Henry Lewis. “2 Men 2 Women belonging to Mr. William Pawley.

“One of the negroes is an elderly sensible man, calls himself James, and says he is free, which we have no reason to doubt the truth of.  He also says that he with the rest of the Negroes were taken from a place called Georgetown."[598]

Pending the action of the lawful owners of these captives, the council instructed the commandant of Castle Island, Col.  Paul Revere, to place out to service, in different towns, some of the Negroes, with the understanding that they should be delivered up to the authorities on their order.  Some were delivered to gentlemen who desired them as servants.  But in the fall of 1779 quite a number were still on the island, as may be seen by the following touching letter:—­

“BOSTON, Oct’r. 12. 1779.  A Return of y’e Negroes at Castle
Island, Viz.: 

“NEGRO MEN.

“1.  ANTHONY. 6.  BOBB. 11.  JUNE. 2.  PARTRICK. 7.  ANTHONEY. 12.  RHODICK. 3.  PADDE. 8.  ADAM. 13.  JACK. 4.  ISAAC. 9.  JACK. 14.  FULLER. 5.  QUASH. 10.  GYE. 15.  LEWIS.

“The above men are stout fellows.

“NEGRO BOYS.

“No. 1.  SMART.
2.  RICHARD.
“Boys very small.

“NEGRO WOOMEN.  NEGRO GIRLS. 
“No. 1.  KITTEY.  No. 1.  LYSETT.
2.  LUCY. 2.  SALLY
3.  MILLEY. 3.  MERCY.
4.  LANDER.
“Pretty large. Rather stout.

“Gentlemen.

     “The Scituation of these Negroes is pitiable with respect to
     Cloathing.

                              “I am, Gen’t. 
                                   “Your very hum.  Serv’t. 
                                        “John Hancock._"[599]

     “OCT. 12, 1779.”

In the mean time some of the reputed owners of the Negroes at Castle Island had come from Charleston, S.C., to secure their property.  When they arrived in Boston they secured the services of John Codman, Isaac Smith, and William Smith, who on the 15th of November, 1779, petitioned the Council for the “restitution” of slaves taken by a British privateer, and retaken by two armed vessels of Massachusetts.  A committee was appointed to consider the petitions, and report what action should be taken in the matter.  Two days later another petition was presented to the Council by one John Winthrop, “praying that certain negroes, who were brought into this state by the Hazard and Tyrannicide, may be delivered to him.”  It was referred to the committee appointed on the 15th of November.  On the 18th of November, “Jabez Fisher, Esq., brought down a report of the Committee of both Houses on the petition of Isaac Smith, being by way of resolve, directing the Board of War to deliver so many of the negroes therein mentioned, as are now alive.  Passed in Council, and sent down for concurrence.”  The order of the House is, “Read and concurred, as taken into a new draught.  Sent up for concurrence.”