Letterbook copy http://wardepartmentpapers.org/scripto/?documentId=1752 To the Board of Treasury Augt 3d 1786. ✓ Boston Gentlemen I have this moment in the evening arrived from New Hampshire Morrill & Gray mentioned in my last letter were apprehended. and no discovery was made in consequence of the search of their papers. [Editor’s note: inl bled through the entire next line] Exeter several of the Justices there domiciled on [Editor’s note: except? the last few words of the sentence were illegible due to ink] Sherriff as Morrill had confered [Editor’s note: confesed?] to them that there was insufficient evidence suspicion [undecipherable] over, used it was thought un the queries of the court prior to his knowing what evidence could be produced against him, with frankness and confidence, and had requested the court with that they would hear every thing that could be alledged against him - which circumstances were very much the appearance of innocence — that there might not be sufficient evidence to convict him before a jury in that [State - that the people might be uneasy to have] him imprisoned for suspicion only, and that this commitment might subject him to be conveyed out of the state which might be disagreeable to the inhabitants As I had no evidence against Gray, except a similarity of hand writing and his connexion with Morrill he was of course acquited. Had I not happily proceeded according to the advice & opinion of the President of the state and the principal characters in it, I should undoubtedly been arrested for false imprisonment of Grey or been otherways personally insulted, and it was with some difficulty that their influence prevailed to prevent it. I shall stay here until monday, my reason for which is that I shall most probably collect information which may be of service, which I have not been able [which I have not been able to do so fully as I kept myself unknown as much as Possible when] in Town before. [I hope] Norris may be kept from receiving directions [from] Morrill, who undoubtedly will attempt to [prevent his deposition], for he appeared on his examin[ation more] Solistous about this than any other [evidence] which might be produced against him, I have the Honor to be with great respect

Your Obt Servt Jno Pierce

Honl Board of Treasury