M^r President

Sir 

We take the Liberty of desiring you to lay our Situation before Congress, & represent to them that we are at this Present confined in the Common Goal, where we have been since Tuesday last: M^r Bradford the Deputy Commissary of Prisoners,¹ has given Orders to the Goaler, that no Person is to be admitted to speak with us, & has given it as his Opinion, that all fresh Provision for our use exclusive of our Rations is superfluous, & what ought not to be purchased; at the same Time we beg them to peruse Governor Johnson of Maryland's Letter to the Board of War, which we flatter ourselvs will be a sufficient Proof, of the Humanity, & good Treatment, which American Prisoners who fell into our Hands, ever received on Board the Mermaid² 

As we had before our Arrival in Philadelphia, been on Parole from our first Landing, we should esteem a Renewal of it as an Indulgence, which we hope Congress will grant. We are [&c.]