The following was published on page 220 in the April-May 1890 issue of Bangor Historical Magazine.
LETTER FROM REV. SETH NOBLE* TO GOVERNOR JOHN HANCOCK, 1785.
(FROM MASS. ARCHIVES BY DR. JOHN F. PRATT.)
"New Market, April 20th, 1785.
HONOURED SIR:
These may inform your Excellency that Mr. J. Lee, of Majabigwaduce, is making interest in that place and its vicinity for a commission of the peace. I am sensible if your Excellency knew the man and his conduct, you would never grant him any commission, whatever, especially that of Esqr.
I verily believe, it can be proved, that he bore arms against America, both by land and sea, before he went from New York to Majabigwaduce.
I was considerably acquainted with him last summer, and it is my opinion that he is yet a spiteful, malicious Tory.
The way he procured his pardon was singular and beneath a gentleman. Gt. Rich and Dr. Mann exhibited a complaint against him, consequently he was summoned to answer to the charge; and when he set out for Boston for that purpose, he gave out word that he was bound to Port Rose (? ?) y ; therefore said gentlemen had no opportunity to support their charge. He obtained his pardon while his accusers thought him to be in Nova Scotia. Sir, a justice is much wanted there, as there is none within forty miles; I would, therefore, request that a commission of the peace might be sent to Dr. Oliver Mann of Majabigwaduce, who, I think is the most suitable person, and would be most agreeable to the people in general. That Lee is a cunning, artful, sly, designing fellow, and hath strangely ingratiated himself into the favour of the lower class of people. He is endeavoring to get as many Refugees about him as possible, that in case of a rupture between Britain and America no doubt he will endeavor to have another British post established there. Such persons ought to be drove from these States.
From your most obedient, humble servant,*Rev Seth Noble was the first minister of Bangor, (Sept. 10, 1786.) He was an old Revolutionary soldier and hated the "Tories." John Lee of Penobscot, was, I suppose, a moderate Loyalist, but George Washington appointed him Collector of Penobscot, August 4, 1789, and the inhabitants of Penobscot and Castine often elected him to public office, so that it seems that his disloyalty was overlooked." - EDITOR MAGAZINE.