To His Excellency General Washington

Sir ー We are sorry to trouble your Excellency so often, only our health as well our Duty to our fellow-creatures, makes it necessary, having upon us the strongest symptoms of a contagious distemper; and being confined in a close room together with three other gentlemen, they undoubtedly have the greatest reason to be apprehensive of its consequences. As we believe it foreign from your intention to endanger our lives, or the Lives of others, we should be glad if you will order our case to be looked into. We remain your humble servants

Thos R. Harris, Master's Mate,

William Metcalfe, Midshipman, of His Majestys Ship Savage

City Jail; New-York, April 29, 1776.