To his Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esquire President of the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
The Petition of John Poultney of the City of Philadelphia Merchant in Behalf of himself & others Creditors of John Hollingsworth late of the Borough of Wilmington Merchant trading to and in the City of Philadelphia and other parts of this State —Respectfully Shewethe—That the said John Hollingsworth using and exercising the Trade of a Merchant Seeking his Trade Living by buying and selling in Gross and by Retail upon just and good Causes being indebted to your Petitioner in the Sum of Two hundred Pounds and upwards of late that is to say on or about the Twenty fourth Day of this Sixth Month last past did become Bankrupt within the meaning of the Acts of Assembly of this State in such Case provided—In Consideration whereof may it please your Excellency to grant unto your Petitioner a Commission under the great Seal of the Commonwealth to be directed to such and so many wise, honest and discreet men as to your Excellency may seem meet, authorising them thereby not only concerning the said Bankrupt his Body, Lands, Tenements Goods, Chattels and other Things of Value, but also concerning all others who by Concealment Claim or—otherwise do or shall offend touching the Prmeises—To do and execute all and every the Thing & Things which shall be necessary in the Premises as well for & towards Satisfaction and Payment of the said Creditors as towards and for all other Intents and Purposes according to the Ordinance and Provision of the Acts of Assembly of this State now in Force concerning Bankrupts And your Petr. &c