To Benjamin Franklin from William R. Boyd et al., 8 February 1780
From William R. Boyd et al.
ALS:4 American Philosophical Society
Nantes febry 8 1780
The Humble Petition of the Mariners formerly belonging to the Patriote Captain Green.5
To his Excellency the Right Honorable Benjamin Franklin Prime Minister of the 13 United States of America.
Sheweth
That Your honours humble Petitioners as met with the Misfortune to be Cast Away and has lost the best Part of our Apparel Owing to the Vessel sinking so sudden which was in about fifteen Minutes;
Your humble Petitioners hopes Your Honour will take our Case into Consideration as we are all Subjects to America to Supply us with Nourishment as here is no Possibility of Shipping our Selves till next Month on the Account of no Vessels fitting out. Your honours Petitioners have Apply’d to Messrs. Schweighauser & Doubery for Assistance, which they did for Nine Days & they mention to us it is not in their Power to assist us any longer untill they here from Your honour. Your Petitioners as tryd all means to Ship, but their is no Possibility for the Americans that is here is all man’d. Your Honours humble Petitioners hopes you will take our Case into Consideration and your Petitioners will ever Pray
Wm R Boyd
Jesse Harding
Richd. Ryland
Thos. Quinn
Mathew Haggin
Tho. McKinney
Mathew Sylvester
Wm. Roberts
Joseph Brown
John Johnson
Richard Sweeting
Ebenezer Newcomb
Notation: Petition of several men that was cast away. Nantes Feb. 8. 80
4. In the hand of Boyd, who had petitioned BF on a different subject on Nov. 5 and 14; see our annotation of the former.
5. John Green; see our annotation of his Nov. 18 letter.