Sir,

I have before me a Copy of a petition from the Lieutenants and Master to you, requesting you would dispose of me that I might not intefere with them in the division of prize money, as the Three twentieths belongs solely to them, that no person of my Rank is allowed on board any Ship under Twenty Guns.¹ I know of no such Resolves however, the two Prizes taken on our Passage,² I have an undoubted right to my part of, according to Resolves of Congress. On our arrival in France I expected to have the Happiness of going on board the Frigate you was to have had the command of,³ this has failed, and these officers are very much dissatisfied at my continuing on board any longer in my Station.

Sir, considering my future happiness and the welfare of the service, I do request a discharge from this Ship (tho' very disagreeable) that I may return in the Frigate Deane to America. I am [&c.]