The Petition of James Robinson Mariner ー Humbly & respectfully Sheweth ー

That your Petitioner late Master of the Brigintine Polly from Hunduras loaded with Logwood & Mahogany was taken the 13th of last April near the Capes of Delawar, by the Lively Privateer Schooner fitted out by Lord Dunmore and Carried to his fleet in Virginia, where he remained Prisoner About two Months; when he was so fortunate as to Make his Escape and a few days a[g]o arrived in this City. ー

That your Petitioner was formerly Master of a Ship of War of Great Britain, on which account he was while a Prisoner in virginia, strongly importuned to enter again into that Service, and had offers of being reinstated in the Same Station; but Conscious of his attachment to the Rights & Liberties, of the Country which he has adopted, for the last twenty Years, where he has a Wife and Several Children, he earnestly Wishes for an Oppertunity of using his best Endeavours in rendering Some Services to America. ー

That your Petitioner had the Honor of Commanding the Letter of Marque-Ship ー King of Prussia belonging to this place, when attacked in January 1758 by a French Privateer from Louisburg The Event yet recent with many of the Gentlemen of your Honourable Board. ー

Your Petitioner, now presuumes with the greatest Respect and Deference, humbly to sollicit, that your Honorable Board Would be pleased to appoint him to the Command of one of the Gallies now building, floating Battery, or of any other vessel of war under the Direction of y[ou]r Honourable Board, or otherwise be Pleased to recommend him to The Service of the Congress of the united States of America. ー

And your Petitioner will with Gratitude act & Pray &c

[Endorsed]

We the Subscribers have for a long time known the Petitioner Capt James Robinson, and beg leave to recommend him to the Honorable Board as a Person meriting their Notice, and capable of conducting himself in the Station he solicits to the Satisfaction of the Honorable Board and that of the Public. ー

Philada July 9th 1776