To the Honble Major General Heath Esqr Commander of the Continental Troops in the Massachusetts Department ー
The Petition of John Manley of Boston Esqr ー
Humbly Sheweth ー

That your Petitioners Ship has greatly suffered by the Commanders of the State Vessels Inlisting Men for a less term of Time than your Petitioner is allow'd to by a Resolve of the Honble Continental Congress, likewise that some Officers in the Service of the United States Commanded by Commodore Hopkins Esqr have been Inlisting Men in the Town of Boston for the Term of six Weeks or two Months in Violation of sd Congresses Resolves to the great Damage of your Petitioner & to the Damage of the Common Cause — Your Petitioner would Inform your Honor, that he suffers greatley for the want of good Seamen & as there are a great many lnlisted into the Continental Service your Petitioner takes the Liberty to apply to your Honor, Praying that he may have Liberty granted him to take Seamen to the number of about twenty or thirty out of the Regements under your Honors more immediate Command as it is absolutely necessary that the Continental Ships should be mann'd with able bodied Seamen, your Petitioner Obligating himself to pay back the Bounty they have received or Advanced Wages, Your Petitioner relying on your Honors firm attachment to the Common Cause leaves the Prayer of his Petition to your Honors wise Judgement hoping that you will do every thing in your Power by assisting your Petitioner in manner set forth in the foregoing Petition & as in Duty bound he will ever pray &c &c &c

Nantasket Road on board Ship Hancock March 24th 1777