Phila Decer 28th 1775
Worthy Sir
I make thus bold to Lay my present as well as tormer Situation before you. Last August Travelling Towards New York from this Town Looking for Work and finding none, hearing of the King's Proclamation to go to Boston and there have full Employment I went on Board A Transport where Afterwards I was forced to Remain as A Soldier though Quite Contrary to the proclamation, (as it Said therein) that any Person who wanted Susteanance, to Go Immediately on Board one of his Majesties Ships, Go to Boston and there have full employment, [(]without being an Enemy to America) this I agreed to No Worke at that Season being to be found, here and there detained before Now as I always loved the freedom of America and will Cheerfully Conquer or Die in its Cause if you Take me out of prison where I am Confined for being providentially Cast on Egg Harbour 2 I Shall Serve you As Long as Necessity requires
To Captain Biddle
Daniel Calligher
on Board one of the Privateers Philadelphia
1. Nicholas Biddle Papers, HSP.
2. The reference is to the loss of the ship Rebecca & Francis which ran ashore October 16, 1775.
