To the Honorable the Congress of the United States of America, the Memorial of William Burke, late Captain of the continental arm'd schooner Warren.

Respectfully Sheweth,

That in the year 1775 he was master of said schooner of which Winborn Adams was Captain. That in January 1776, he had the honor of being appointed commander of said schooner, by his excl^y. General Washington. That from the latter period, he kept continually cruizing With the other continental Vessels and was concern'd in the capture of nine of the enemy's Vessels, four of them Transports with Highland Troops, before the month of aug^t. following, when he was taken by the Liverpool Frigate of twenty eight guns and carried into Halifax.¹

That he remain'd a prisoner untill the last of February 1778, When with great hazard and difficulty he and three more made their escape, taking two British Soldiers along with them. That during his captivity he Suffer'd all the distress which a short allowance of provisions and continual insults could ocasion, and expended considerable Sums of Money in Supporting himself and fellow prisoners; And he has the Satisfaction to believe, that the lives of many of the Sick were Saved by his attention to their wants; and many of the common Sailors by his persuasions and encouragement prevented from engaging in the enemy's services. That upon his geting home he applied to the Navy Board at Boston for employment, who said they could give him no appointment but recommended him to make application to Congress for that end. 

Your Memorialist came hither accordingly, with recommendations from divers gentlemen at and near Boston, to whom he had the honor of being known.²

But that upon representing his case to the hon^ble. Marine Committee they mention'd divers unexpected obsticles in the way of his appointment which they said Congress alone could remove. 

Your Memorialist begs leave to add that at the time of his appointment to the command of the Warren, he was next in commision to Captain Manley: and he hopes that his missfortunes and sufferings will not prove the means of depriving him of what he deems his right and he assures himself that his conduct while in command will furnish no Argument against him. Not that your Memorialist is without resources handsome offers were made him soon after he got home from Captivity, But he consider'd himself an officer belonging to the United States Whose duty oblig'd him to continue in their Service, the honor of which he would greatly prefer to a more lucrative employment in the Service of private Merchants 

With this state of facts, your memorialist Submits his case to the decision of Con gress, and as he has already been here nine days, he is oblig'd to pray for a Speedy determination³

York Town April 30^th. 1778