To The Honourable the Committee of Safety
The Humble Petition of Charles Lawrence, William Watkin and Robert Tatnall Commanders of the Guard Boats Station'd at Darby Creek ー

Sheweth

That Your Petitioners labour under great inconvenience in being Supplied with Meat, from the Fort, and John Mitchell Esqr further informs us that we are to send to Philadelphia for our Meat for the future ー

Your Petitioners humbly represent the difficulty of sending our men thirty two Miles every day, the difficulty of getting the men on board when in Town, and in case of an Alarm, the Wind & Tide might not admit of their coming down to our assistance ー

Your Petitioners beg leave to inform you, that Mr Sketchley Morton a resident at this place where we lay, will Supply us with fresh Meat every day, at the same price as is allowed at the Fort ー

Your Petitioners humbly beg, that Your Honours will be pleased to take it into consideration and Your Petitioners will for ever Pray

Darby Creek
July 20th 1776