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To His Excellency Richard Caswell, Esq., Governor, etc., and the Honorable Members of the Council of State:

The humble petition of David Wade sheweth:

That your petitioner on or about the 1st day of June last enlisted himself in the independent company at Coore Sound, under the

command of Capt. Enoch Ward, for six months, which time your petitioner served without being sworn or asked to sign the articles, and after the time of enlistment was expired your petitioner applied for a discharge, which was refused; and that after being refused, your petitioner entered with Capt. Pinkum to go a whaling, and that after he had been some days on the banks, Capt. Ward sent a file of men and took him in custody and put him under guard. At the same time a certain Thomas Temple offered himself instead of your petitoner to enter in the said company, but the Captain swore he would not take ten men if they all offered to serve in his stead, though he discharged several others who had not entered for any particular time, and who were sworn into service and signed the articles, and compels your petitioner by force to continue against his agreement and inclination, which your petitioner complains of, and humbly prays that your Excellency and Honors will take this matter under consideration and afford such relief as in your opinion may be just. And your petitioner will ever pray, etc.

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