Honoured Sir

I Hope Youll Excuse my Boldness in writing to you In Behallf of myself and three more of my countrymen Who are now prisoners in    Castle Bretagne. I was Born In McCollister town pensylvania and Saild out of Baltimore in Mr Samuel and Robert Purviances Employ and had the Missfortune to be taken Prisoner by an English Privateer and Carried in to York when the Captain gave me the choice of going in a Brig Loaden with tobbacco Bound for London or go on Board the prison ship of which I accepted the former In hopes of meeting some american privateers and Getting home to my friends which we had not the fortune to meet but however fell in with a privateer belonging to his most Christian Majestys and Carried into brest where I flatterd myself of meeting a Vessel Bound for amerrica but not Knowing who to apply to I was carried to Prison where I have Been this two months but being Informd of Your Honours goodness in Like Affairs I Made bold to apply to You as I Understand their is Severall Ammerican Vessels at Bourdeaux to which if your Honour is so Good as to procure me a Pass so as I may Get to the same the Prayers of an aged father and Mother and mine will be Constantly sent up for Your Honours Happiness and the Success of the United States.

I Am Sir Your most Obedient Servant Ever to Command