The Petition of John Duffield and of Jeremiah Warder Parker & Co. of the City of Philadelphia Merchants on behalf of themselves & others Creditors of Townsend White and John White of said City Merchants—

Respectfully Sheweth That the said Townsend White and John White using and exercising the Trade of Merchants, by way of Bargain Exchange Rechange and Bartry under the name and firm of Townsend & John White seeking their Trade and living by buying and selling did on or about this present Day become Bankrupts within the meaning of the Act of Assembly of this Commonwealth lately Passed entitled “An Act for the Regulation of Bankruptcy.” In tender Consideration whereof may it please your Excellency to grant unto your Petitioners a Commission under the great seal of the said Commonwealth to be directed such and somary Wise Honest and discreet Persons as to your Excellency shall seem meet, authorising them thereby not only Concerning the said Bankrupts their Bodies Lands and Tenements 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 Intent and meaning of the said Act of Assembly, To do & execute all and every thing and things whatsoever as well for and towards all other Intents and purposes according to the Ordinance and provision of the said Act of Assembly for the regulation of Bankruptcy

And your Petitioners shall ever pray,

[in BF’s hand] Let a Commission issue directed to Matthew Clarkson, George Hughes, Peter Baynton, Richard Bache, & David Lenox Esquires, or any four or three of them, for the purpose abovementioned.— Nov. 12. 1787

Pennsylvania ss—

John Duffield within named being duly sworn deposeth and saith that Townsend White and John White now or late of the City of Philadelphia Merchants are indebted unto this Deponent in the sum of One hundred & Twenty Pounds & upwards arising upon a Transaction subsequent to the sixteenth day of September 1785. And Jeremiah Warder one of the Partners of the House of Jeremiah Warder Parker & Co. withing named being duly Affirmed /he being one of the People called Quakers/ Affirmeth & saith that the said Townsend White and John White are indebted to them the said Jeremiah Warder Parker & Company in the sum of One hundred & Eighty pounds & upwards arising upon a transaction subsequent to the said sixteenth Day of September 1785. And the said John Duffield on his Oath and the said Jeremiah Warder on his Affirmation severally say that the said Townsend White and John White are become Bankrupts within the meaning of the Act of Assembly passed on the said sixteenth day of September 1785, Entitled “An Act for the regulation of Bankruptcy” as they are informed and verily believe. And further say not.

Sworn & Affirmed as above before me this 12th Day of November 1787.