To the Honble the Cogress of New York assembled at the White Plains in the State of New York

The humble petition of us the Subscribers sheweth that we have been four Months in the service of the American States on board the Schooner Genl Putnam, during which time we have not been to sea but 11 Days all the rest of the Time we have spent inactively at the Head of Inlets, five or six Miles from the Mouths thereof from whence at any Emergency we could not put out without great Difficulty, and often not at all. That we have sundry Times Laid a week sometimes longer in an Inlet, and in one we have laid at Anchor four or five Miles from the mouth a full Month without ever attempting to go out or scarcely offering to send any Person to look out. that numbers of vessels have pass'd and repass'd without our endeavouring to speak them, notwithstanding it was the opinion of the officers we had several opportunities verry favourable. that with our Commander Thomas Cregier on board we have not been out of this Inlet in seven weeks.

That our sd Commander hath several Times insulted the officers when they have candidly advised him and gave them to understand that their business was only to answer a question when ask'd, and not attempt giving advice. that in correcting People for slight or no offences, he hath used unlawfull weapons, once presenting a Pistol to the breast of one Burns, for only requesting to know what his stated allowance was, and swearing by God he would blow a Ball through him, at another time with a large hickory club striking one Bell on the head and much wounding him for what in our opinion scarcely appear'd a crime. that in no one thing has he complied with the resolves of the Congress, His whole conduct being one series of Folly, Vice and Inconsistencies, setting the most scandalous Examples to the People, swearing, Lying and frequenting the company of the most contemptible of women, Presenting the Private Property of others to them, also at sundry Times giving the Ships and Cabben stores away. we are sorry to have occasion to Lay those charges against our Commander, but black as they are they can be Proved, by the Journals of the officers, and the Evidence of the most respectable persons in these Parts.

That by this Means he hath rendered himself Despicable to every man on board, has greatly dissatisfied every friend of the cause, and become the derision of its foes.

That we cannot with honor serve any longer under the Comand of the said Thomas Cregier. that in our sincere oppinion (with him as our Commander) we have not done the least service to our Country, and the season of the year being so far advanced, we liumbly conceive the vessel unfit to be continued in the service, she being weakened and consequently would endanger our Lives in a gale of wind, besides she leaks so that not a man in declare our ardent desire the Hold can Lay dry in the Cabbins, and at the same time that we solemnly to Exert our utmost abilities in Defence of our Distress'd Country, in any station where there is a probability of doing it; and profess ourselves fully satisfied with the conduct of our Lieutenant, Mr. [Thomas] Quigley, and the officers in general, and though we confess it would be most agreeable to have a Discharge from this vessel, yet if your Honourable House think proper to continue us therein (as long as the season will admit) under the command of Mr. Quigley or any other Person youshall appoint, except the said Thomas Cregier, we shall cheerfully comply ー for we beg leave to assure you that we glory in yealding obedience to your commands ー but humbly request for the Honor & Interest of our Country and ourselves that the said Thomas Cregier may be Cashiered, and your Petitioners as in duty bound shall every pray