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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Petition from John Smith concerning his imprisonment
Smith, John
November 09, 1776
Volume 10, Pages 900-901

[From MS. Records in Office of Secretary of State.]
The Petition of John Smith late of Anson County North Carolina to the Congress assembled at Halifax humbly sheweth

That your petitioner having been charged with Practices unfavorable to the Interests of America and of having aided and assisted her Enemies in their Endeavors to establish the arbitrary system of measures formed by the British Ministry against her was arrested

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sometime in the Month of March last and brought before your Honors.

That your Honors on hearing your Petitioners Case and the Evidence in support of the said Charges thought proper to send your Petitioner (with a number of others) Prisoner to this State of Pennsylvania where he hath continued since his Arrival Closely Confined in the Common Prison separated from his Family and Friends.

That he is informed his Family in North Carolina aforesaid are extremely afflicted and greatly injured by his absence—he is therefore very desirous of returning to them and willing to give every proper Testimony of his sincere attachment to the Rights and privileges of his Fellow Countrymen and the most approved security for his future peaceable Demeanor during the present contest with Great Britain.

He therefore humbly prays your Honors would consider his case and on receiving such security that an order may be made for permitting his return to his wonted Home and afflicted Family and Friends and as in duty bound he shall pray &c.

JOHN SMITH,
Little River.

November the 9th, 1776.