May it Please your Excellency

The Subscriber a Subject of the Thirteen United American States Inhabitant of Salem in New-England, having sailed from thence since the 20th of July 1782 and been trading in the W-Indies and on the Spanish Main, upon a report that the Moors of Barbary did not choose to prey upon any American Flagg having attempted to Come from Martinicce to this Post with   I find to my great disappointment that we are not respected by any of those Regencies and having a rich Cargo to go back with to New England, these Seas being full of Moorish Roves, whom on the occasion of Spain threatening Algier, darest not go home and have no better cruising ground than the Ligurian Gulf for the shelter they find in Corsica, and on the Coast of Provence so that this Coast swarms with them, all this makes it highly imprudent iff not impossible to sally out without having some means of security. Had I such a Ship as I once this last War had the honour to Comand under Continental Commission, the Swarthy Moor might feel the weight of American Metall, as the proud Briton has felt at our occasionall meetings but my Vessel is now only just able for a peaceble trade. On these Circumstances having no Consul in this Place who represents the Thirteen United States I humbly take the Liberty to apply directly to your Excellency, most respectfully begging to obtain iff possible some Means of Protection as I have heard much talk of a certain Pass given on this account by the Court of France to our American Vessels trading in the    and that it might better appear that my Vessel belongs to America   include herein a Copy of my Register. And in Case my request should be granted I shall be then forcibly obliged to make my Vessel    Bottom so that I might return to my Country. I earnestly     likewise Your Excellency be pleased to lett me know the Event   affair as soon as possible, or instruct me with your ever   how to act in my critical Case. I have the honour to be Your Excellency’s Ever Dutifull Most Obedient and Most Humble Servant