The humble Petition of Christian Stenger and William Stragham, Comanders, the first of the Brigg Dolphin beloning to Waterford and Sunk of Cape Clare, Second of the Lord Chatham now at Brest, Who by this Unnatural War have fell them Selves and theire Properties Victums to the Ranger Continentall Ship of War Commanded by Captain John Paul Jones Esqr. most Submissively prayer Your Honours to Deign to Consider.

That Your humble Petitioners have a long helpless Charge of Children in Ireland the first Eleven, the Second Eight intirely Depending on Your humble petitioners earning, now in Confinement on board the Drake in the Road of Brest, which if Long Continued will Expose them to all kind of misiries by Coming a Puplic Charge.

Your Humanity and the Satisfaction it gives you to relive the Distressed asures us that You will render ower helpless Families happy, by ordering Your humble Petitioners Liberty (in letting them goe on board a Dutch Ship now Severall in the Harbour). Captain Jones humble Treatment to us Since our Confinement, gives us hopes that he will facillitate it, by letting Your Honours know how Willingly we have Contributed by ower knowlege of the Coast, to the Rangers preservation.

We flatter owerselves with this hope, That Your Bountyfull goodnes will out Shine that of the Admirallity in England, who notwithstanding when Petitioned by Samuel Chandlers, from the imprisonment at Porthsmouth, found atmittance and Sett at Liberty, and now on board the Ranger.

Your Humble Petitioners exspect Your Honours will pardon theire forwardnes in Exposing to You thyr Distress—and hope as it regards Liberty to which Your Honours have So Steadfastly adhared, and have So Successfully defended, that their expectation will not be fruitless, and that trough Your Charritable goodness You will order their Delivery. Your humble Petitioners as in duty will for Your Wellfare ever pray.