Gentlemen,

We your humble petioners beg leave to inform you of the distressed Situation of our Brother; Officers now Prisoners in England, particularly John Nicholson Esqr & his Officers who was taken in the Sloop Hornet in the Service of the United States of America & Thomas Norwood and Nine Men that was put on Board of one of our late prizes, who was taken & Carried into Falmouth and Many other Unfortunate Country Men, who are Now Suffering in Prison & Cannot get a farthing to furnish the Necessarys of Life —

We pray your Honours would Please to Appoint some mode or Method to furnish them with a trifle of Money in order to Relieve their present Necessity's, as such a Conduct on your parts will tend to the Softning & Relieving their Sufferings & thereby prevent them from joining our Enemies and fighting against us, which they will be obliged to do if not Relieved — We our Selves will Readily & Willingly assist them as far as our Money or Credit will go — As we don't know how soon it may be our Case, as we are all liable to Such Misfortunes, We therefore Recommend them to your honours Notice & hope you will be graciously Pleased to give them the Most Speedy Assistance in your Power, from Gentlemen, [&c.]