at the able-bodied men may be usefully
employed during their stay in carrying on the Fortifications
on said Island, or elsewhere within the said Harbor; and
that the Women be employed according to their ability in
Cooking, Washing, etc. And that the said Board of War keep
an exact Account of their Expenditures in supporting said
Negroes."[597]

The Negroes were delivered to Thomas Knox on the 28th of June, and
were conveyed "to Castle Island pr. Order of Court." The Board of War
voted the "34 Negroes delivered" rations. Lieut.-Col. Paul Revere was
instructed to "issue to the Negroes at Castle Island--1 lb. of Beef, 1
lb. of Rice pr. day." The following letter is not without interest:--

"WAR OFFICE, 28 June, 1779.

"LT.-COL. REVERE,

"Agreeable to a Resolve of Court we send to Castle Island
and place under your care the following Negroes, viz.:

[19] Men,
[10] Women,
[5] Children,

lately brought into this Port in the Spanish retaken Ship
Victoria. The Men are to be employed on the Fortifications
there or elsewhere in the Harbor, in the most useful manner,
and the Women and Children, according to their ability, in
Cooking, Washing, etc. They are to be allowed for their
subsistence One lb. of Beef, and one lb. of Rice per day
each, which Commissary Salisbury will furnish upon your
order, and this to continue until our further orders.

"_By Order of the Board_."

In accordance with the order of the Legislature, made on the 24th of
June, the president of the Board of War, Samuel P. Savage, wrote a
letter to the Massachusetts delegates in Congress, dated "War Office
June 29th 1779," calling attention to the re-captured Negroes. The
letter closed with the following:--

"Every necessary for the speedy discharge of these people,
we have no doubt you will take, that as much expense as
possible may be saved to those who call themselves their
owners."

The writer was at pains to enumerate, in his letter, such slaves as he
was enabled to locate.

"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