The Petition of Charles Walker of the Island of [New] Providence
Humbly Sheweth
That when Admiral Hopkins arrived at [New] Providence with the Continental Fleet under his Command, not having sufficient Room in his own Ships for the Ordinance Stores which he found at that place, Your Petitioner furnished him with a Convenient Vessel, for which the Admiral gave your Petitioner a, Certificate entitling him to receive of the Congress, a full and ample Payment of all his Accounts against the Vessel ー That your ー Petitioner had his Accounts properly made out and Authenticated under the Seal of the Island; But, in his Voyage to this Place, had the Misfortune to be taken by an English Ship of War; and Carried into Norfolk to Lord Dunmore, where fearing ill Treatment from the Enemies of America, if his Papers shoud fall into their Hands, they being directed to the Congress, he thought it adviseable to throw them into the Sea, That your Petitioner having made his Escape and Arriving at this Place, laid his Case before your Honble Body, who has been pleased to send to Admiral Hopkins concerning him ー But your Petitioner certain of the great Uneasiness his Family must be in on his Account, and considering that by the Time, Intelligence can be had from the Admiral, ー he may make a Voyage to his Native Country and back again, Humbly prays that the Congress will be pleased to grant him such a Sum of Money in Part-Payment for the Vessel aforesaid, as by Sundry Copies of Accounts which he has got, may appear to be due, to enable him, with the permission and Approbation of their Honble Body, to purchase a Vessel and Cargo of Provisions, and to go With it to [New] Providence, with every assurance that a Man of Integrity can give, to Return again, God willing with a Cargo of Salt, or such other Articles as may be useful here ー
The Premises, your Petitioner humbly submits to your wise Consideration, and hopes that your Honble Body will give afavourable Answer to his Petition, and he, as in Dutybound shall ever pray &c:
Philadelphia June 18th. 1776.