The Memorial of Jean Duperon late Canonier of the Royal Corps of Artillery on the Island of Martinique — humbly sheweth

That your Memorialist having engaged with one Mr Bingham an Agent for the Continent at Martinique aforesaid to go to Philadelphia and off er his Service in the Army of the United States was by the said Bingham directed to take his Passage on Board the Privateer Sloop Independence Captain Robinson [Robertson] Commander ² at which time your Memorialist plainly understood that he was to have his said Passage free as a Volunteer that would on any Occasion fight in the Battles of the Sloop tho not do the common duties of Marines or Sailors —

That your Memorialist put on board of the said Sloop 4 dozen Bottles of Cordials and 4 dozen of Lemon Juice in eight Cases on purpose that by the Sale thereof at Philadelphia he might be enabled the better to support and equip himself for the Service he intended to enter into — But that at his Arrival the said Captain flatly refuseth to render him an Account of his eight Cases of Liquors to the great Loss of your Memorialist who had ventured his Freedom & Life in the Fate of a Privateer for to serve the Cause of the Americans —

Your Memorialist being a Foreigner without Friends and Connections in this place who could advise or support him in his difference with the Captain puts his sole Confidence upon that Faith and Honor of Nations and their Magistrates by which the Right of the Stranger within their Gates are to be held sacred and protected is necessitated to claim the Protection of your Honorable Board against the said Captain or any of his Officers or Men who may have been guilty of imbezling his Property And humbly prayeth to compell him or them to restore the same to your Memorialist or the Value thereof at the current price in the City of Philadelphia —

And your Memorialist as in duty &c

Philad Feby 6th 1777 —

[Endorsed] In Council of Safety feb. 11th 1777

The within memorial is referr'd to James Young Esqr and Jacob Schreiner Esqr who are requested to enquire into the Complaint to determine thereon or report to the Council if they think necessary By order of Council

Dav^d Rittenhouse V.P.