Thomas Lea to Benjamin Franklin and the Pennsylvania Supreme Executive Council (unpublished)
Philada. 18th October 1787.

The Petition of Thomas Lea of the City of Philadelphia Merchant Creditor of Peter January of the said City Merchant Respectfully sheweth

That your Petitioner on the 16th inst. prayd for a Commission of Bankruptcy against Peter January of the City of Philadelphia Merchant. The prayer of which Your Excellency was pleased to Grant And he obtaind a Commission directed to Matthew Clarkson, George Hughes, Peter Baynton, Richard Bache and David Lennox Esquires which was delivered them. That your Petitioner appeard before the Gentlemen Commissioners named in the said Commission to prove the Bankruptcy his Debt and other particulars required by Law to prosecute the said Commission to Effect But was informed That in Consequence of an Inattention to certain formality in Constituting the Act They could not proceed on the said Commission At the same time were pleased to give Assurances of an Attention to any New Commission should it be brought before them Your Petitioner therefore prays Your Excellency That a Commission of Bankruptcy may Issue against Peter January Under the great seal of the Commonwealth And that the Commissioners be authorized not only concerning the said Bankrupt In Body Lands Tenements Freehold and Customary Goods Debts and other things whatsoever but also Concerning all other persons who by Concealment Claim or otherwise do or shall Offend touching the premises or any part thereof contrary to the true Interest and Meaning of the Acts of Assembly of this Commonwealth concerning Bankrupts And to do and Execute all and every other thing and things whatsoever As well for & towards and for all other Intents and purpooses According to the Ordinance and provision of Said Acts. And your Petr. as in Duty bound will ever pray.—

Thomas Lea

To his Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esquire President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania

[in BF’s hand] Let a Commission issue as within prayed, directed to Matthew Clarkson, George Hughes, Peter Baynton, Richard Bache, and David Lenox, Esquires, or any Four or Three of them.

B Franklin, Presidt.

To the Secretary of Council.
Notation: 1787 October 18th Petition of Thomas Lea in the Case of Peter January a Bankrupt.
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