May it Please Your Excellency

Your Petitioner, as a Subject to the United States, and Originally from Marblehead in the province of Massachusets, begs Leave to Sollicit Your Excellency on this present Occasion being in Toulon at Large, conditionally to Go on Board a french Man of War, but there being none at present bound to America where my Natural inclination Leads me, having a Wife and four children begs Your Honour by Your Extencive Power and Interest to Procure my freedom that I might Sicure a pass to proceed in the best Manner possible to my family, your Excellencys compliance with the Above, Your Petitioner will be allways in Duty Bound and Will Ever Pray. from Sir With Profound Respect Your Excellencies most Obedient and Humble Petitioner