New Bern, December 30th, 1785.
Sir:
The Negroes brought into this place by Captain Gardner from Nova Scotia, which you have in Custody, to-wit., Dominee, Peter, Zack, alias Digtry-Jacob, James Langly, Jim, Jack, Tom, Prince, Sam, Bett & Grace, you are required to retain in your Custody until you shall receive further orders therein, from me or the Governor, for the time being. And in the meantime you are to advertise in the public papers of Virginia, New York and this State the said Negroes, describing each of them, and mentioning the names of the persons the said Negroes say they belong to, and that such persons as claim the said Negroes, upon transmitting satisfactory proofs of
their property to the Governor, and paying you the prison fees, will have such Negroes restored to them.