[Philadelphia, September 20, 1776]
The Petition of Thomas Forrest Sheweth.
Your petitioner having the Honour Conferd on him by the honourable Body the late Committe of Safety of an Appointment of Capt of marines on Board the floating Battery Now Riding at anchor at fort Island.
That your petitioner finding by daily experience that Marines on board the floating battery are Quite useless
Begs Leave [(]If this Honourable Body Cannott Comply with the Request made by your petitioner for permission to Go to New York) to Offer himself as a Candidate for the Command of the Floating Battery now Building for the defence of this State
And your petitioner as in duty Bound will Exert himself To the good of the Service of this State & to the appointment honour
Thomas Forrest
1. Simon Gratz Autograph Collection, Case 5, Box 27, HSP.
2. The date is approximate. The Council of Safety, on September 21, appointed William Brown commander of the new floating battery. Forrest, on October 5, 1776, was made a captain in Proctor's Battalion of Pennsylvania Artillery.
