The Petition of William Pringle late Commander of Ship Anna Maria. ー Humbly Sheweth

That on the 5th July last, your Petitioner, in the Ship Anna Maria, of which he was Master, bound from Barbadoes to London, was taken by the Private Sloop of War, called the Revenge, Commanded by Capt Joseph White, and about the 18th of said Month brought into Salem.ー

That your Petitioner, having a Family in England, must make it very distressing, both to him and them to be destained in this Country.ー

That your Petitioner before he left Barbadoes, had bought and forwarded home, Bills of Exchange to a very considerable amount; which Bills were drawn on the strength and Credit of the Sugars on board the said Ship Anna Maria; which Bills will now of course be protested, and if your Petitioner should not get home soon, so as to obtain Security for the payment of them, he may probably entirely lose the Money.

That your Petitioner being detained here, will be very detrimental to his affairs on many other Accounts: and his extream anxiety of mind, which he must necessarily be under, arising from his being separated from his Family and Friends, and in a Country where he is an entire Stranger (tho' treated with great kindness and humanity) he apprehends will greatly injure and impair his health.ー

Your Petitioner's humble Prayer therefore is that the Honorable Board would be pleased to permit him to take passage for England in the Ship Creighton, lately purchased at Boston² by Capt William Ross, who was Passenger on board and taken in the Ship Zachary Bayley.ー

your Petitioner further prays that Mr George Delano, a young Gentlemen who is a near Relation to the principal Owner of the said Ship Anna Maria, and took the Voyage for his health, together with his Servant, may also have leave to take passage with your Petitioner, in the said Ship Creighton.-

And your Petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray

Salem August 26th 1776