Sir,

The inclosed papers relating to the Case of Samuel Taylor a lad who was some time ago upon pretence of friendship kidnapped from his Mother a poor Widow here, and most inhuman[ely] sold as a Slave to a planter in North Carolina by one Joseph Turton of Bath Town have been communicated to Lord Halifax by his Sister Lady F Burgoyne, to whom the Lad's Mother is well known and his Lordship out of Compassion to the poor Woman who is in the greatest Distress and to her unfortunate Son has ordered me to send these papers to you, and to beg you will take the most effectual Methods to obtain the Boy's Release, and if possible to bring the Perpetrator of this inhuman Action to the Punishment his Villainy deserves; you will see by Lady F Burgoyne's Letter to my Lord, that she from Motives of Compassion to the unfortunate Widow is desirous of repaying the Money for which the Boy was sold, if that is necessary, which his Lordship hopes will not be the Case, but that the Author of this Villainy may be compelled to refund the Money, if however that cannot be obtained, his Lordship begs that you will procure the Boy's release at all Events, and that you will in the Manner of doing it which must be left to your Judgment and Discretion heave it as much as possible in your View to discourage such inhuman Practices for the future. I am Sir your most obedient humble Servt.