Very often since your happy return to this your Native residence I have been impressed to lay the state of a helpless Woman before you, but prevented, fearing to intrude on matters of more moment, in which your Excellency must necessarily be ingaged, finding no period likely to intervene, now beg leave to address you, as the Relict of Miles Pennington, late Captain of Marines on board the Ship Reprizal command by Cap. Weeks, and who was one of the unfortunate persons lost in her at Sea, from which catastrophy have to date my misfortunes, being left without any support; and being an afflicted person long labouring under a debility of body, and unused to labour, I am thereby compelled to seek the aid of my acquaintance, a circumstance along that preys too heavey on a mind not insensible.

I have done myself the honour, twenty month since of addressing Robert Morris, Esquire for a settlement of Prize money due from the Captures of the Reprizal, his Brother Thomas being Agent for said Ship, he politely returned me his answer, but could not administer ought to my support, informing, that the value of all her Prizes were directed to the use of the United States, on which information, petitioned the Honourable Congress, from whome I received no reply, I then petitioned the Honourable the Executive Council, and also the Legislative authority of this Common Wealth; if I am right informed my Case was refered to a Committe of the House, but not desided on finally, before they broke up. Let me therefore intreat your Excellency as the Chiefe Magistrate of this Common Wealth and Guardian for the Rights of the Fatherless and Widow, to pry into the Justice of my claim in common with the Widows of fallen Officers, for whom certain yearly stipends are appointed by this Legislature. I shall do myself the honour to wait on Your Excellency personally for an answer, a week hence, and hope to meet with a favourable reply being most respectfully your Excellency’s Obedient Humble Servant