To the Committee of Safety appointed for to adopt Measures for the Protection of this Country, or to the Hon'ble Congress.
The Address of the Free Company, belonging unto the Ranger Armed Boat, in the Service of the United Colonies of North America,
Humbly Sheweth,
That we the said company, for the time that we have belonged to the said Armed Boat, have contrary to the articles agreed to, by the said Company, sustained several wrongs, which untill this time we have, with Patience bore, thinking that we should by repeated Complaints made unto the Officers whom this Immediently concerned be redressed, but we at this time finding our Grievance become more burthensome thinks it a proper season for to lay our Grievance before you,
Humbly hopeing,
That the Hon'ble Gentlemen will be pleased for to allow the said company what their articles seteth forth. In the said articles we are allowed ten pounds of Mutton, Beef or Pork, Mutton or Pork we have got none since we belonged to the said Boat tho' often Desired, the Beef that we have received have at several times proved so bad & more especially at this time, Vinegar we have got none since we belonged to the said Boat tho' allowed in the aforesaid articles which causeth us for to lay our case before you hoping that your honours will be pleased for to take it into your consideration, and allow us what is proper for men that isfighting for the Liberty of this Country.
Your Honours have been pleased for to allow us Six pence P week for to buy Vegatablesfor each man Belonging to the service, but what we receive we could buy for 2d P man & the Potatoes are so small and so bad that they are only fit for Children for to play Jack Stones with, your Honours have allowed us bread or flower, the Victualler will only give us wh he chuscs giving us Bread when we chose flower, thinking it a proper time for us to get Bread when arc down the river. We iikewise hope that your honours will be pleased for to take us further into your Consideration, and allow us our pay when it becomes due, as there is several of the said Company have Occasion for their pay when it becomes due, having great families, and we hope that these things you will be pleased for to take into your Consideration, and allow us what is proper for men that is ready, able & willing for to fight for the freedom of their Country and Liberty of our Children hereafter. Signed by Order,
[February 8, 1775] 2
Rangers.