To the Honourable General Sumner,
Sir:
We the Subscribers being Sensibly touchd. with Mr. Ruben Wheatfield’s Misfortune at this time being charged with Entertaining a Certain Mirrideth Rukes, a Deserter, we having Informed ourselves with the Circumstance of the Charge against him, do not think that he is guilty of a Breach of that act of Assembly relative to harbouring Deserters; as it don’t appear to us that he had any evil Intentions in giving the fellow a Meal or two of Victuals, & was at that time applying to Mr. Wheatfield to hire him a Substitute. We would recommend the old Reuben Wheatfield to your Honour’s Clemency.