I flatter myself your Excelly will pardon; and pity that necessity, which forces me to be troublesome, my present distress, with the Gloomy prospect which at present presents itself, to me, and the Prisoners in Genl. in this Island, must plead an excuse, I have the Honor to bear a Masters Warrent in the Service of the United States of America and appointed to Sloop Providence, John Peck Rathburn Esqr. Commr., to which I belonged, when Captured in her Prize, eighteen months past, and brought to England, stript of all my Cloaths, except what on, and what trifle of money I had in my Pockets, and was it not for the Cloaths, allowed by this Government, I should have been quite Naked, the great prospect which appeared about four Months past, of our soonbeing exchanged, has wholly disappered, and nothing but poverty, and the greatest distress, added to almost a Certainty, of remaining here twelve months longer, now presents itself to my view, not the only one, My rank in the Navy am in hopes will entitle me to your Excellency’s Notice, either in a supply of Money or Orders to draw, for a sum your Excelly may think proper. I have the Honor to be With the greatest Respect Your Excellency’s Mpst obedient Servant