[first line missing] Humble Pettioner, an American Subject, my place of residence, when at home, is in Orange County North Carolina, where I have resided for a number of years past, till Cornwallis, attacked General Green at Guilford Court House, than I went out to the West Indies with a small Property on my own account, and traded among the French West India Islands, but very unfortunately, a little time before St. Kitts was Captured by the French, on my passage from Bassterre Guadaloupe, bound for St Thomas, I was taken by a Privateer and carried into St. Kitts, when I lost every thing in my possission, even my wearing apparal and remained a prisioner, till Count De Boulias Governor of Martinis took that Island, after I went down to Cape Francois where I entered on board a French Merchant Ship bound for this port to do a little business in the writting way, Just for a support, and my wages being very small which is now all expended, and no American Ships here that will sail for those some months to come, having little or no Cash to support me, and few wearing apparal, quite a Stranger, no friends nor acquaintances, Therefor I am under the real necessity of giving your Excellence this trouble, and Pray’s your Excellence out of your great goodness, would be pleased to render me Some Assistance in my present distress, without which I must unavoidably suffer in this Strange Country, your Excellence’s immedately ordering me whatever you’ll please to see proper will for ever Oblige, your Excellence’s most humble pettioner