oppressions we have laboured tinder for many years, and which wc hope your Lordships will redress as soon us possible.
We flatter ourselves that your Lordships, together with the nation in general, will acknowledge our worth and good services, both in the American war and the present; for which service your Lordships petitioners do unanimously agree in opinion, that their worth to the nation, and laborious industry in defence of their country, deserve some better encouragement than that we meet with at present, or from any we have experienced. We your petitioners, do not boast of our good services for any other purpose, than that of putting you and the nation in mind of the respect due to us; nor do we ever intend to deviate from our former character; so far from any thing of that kind, or that an Englishman or men should turn their coats; we likewise agree in opinion, that we should suffer double the hardships we have hitherto experienced, before we would suffer the crown of England to be in the least imposed upon by that of any other power in the world; we therefore beg leave to inform your Lordships of the grievances which we at present labour under.
We your humble petitioners, relying that your Lordships will take into early consideration the grievances of which we complain; and do not in the least doubt but your Lordships will comply with our desires, which are every way reasonable.
The first grievance which we have to complain of is, that our wages are too low, and ought to be raised, that we might be better able to support our wives and families in a manner comfortable, and whom we are in dutybound to support as far as our wages will allow, which, we trust, will be looked into by your Lordships and the honourable House of Commons in parliament assembled.
We your petitioners beg that your Lordships will take into consideration the grievances of which we complain, and now lay before you. First, that our provisions be raised to the weight of sixteen ounces to the pound, and of a better quality; and that our measures may be the same as those used in the commercial trade of this country.
Secondly, that your petitioners request your honours will please to observe, there should be no flour served while we are in harbour, or any port whatever under the command of the British flag; and also that there be granted a sufficient quantity of vegetables of such kind as may be the most plentiful in the ports to which we go, which we grievously complain and lie under the want of.
Thirdly, that your Lordships will be pleased seriously to look into the state of the sick on board his Majesty’s ships, that they be better attended to, and that they may have the use of such necessaries as are allowed for them in time of their sickness; and that these necessaries be not on any account embezzled.
Fourthly, that your Lordships will be so kind as to look into this affair, which is no ways unreasonable; and that we may be looked upon as a number of men standing in defence of our country; and that we may in some wise have granted an opportunity to taste the sweets of liberty on