Stimulated by those powerfull motives justice and humanity which ough to actuate the brest of every sincer freind to his country, beg leave to adress your Excellency, on behalf of Capt. Pray, officers, and Soldiers under his command, during their residence at this post And the more so when we think that some persons from sinister viws whos conduct may have cros’t the line of Capt. Pray’s duty are by unjustifyable measures endevouring to have him removd.

We think it but a duty we owe to him those under his command our selves and contry in General to express our approbation of his conduct as a worthy officer and diserving the esteem of all who wish well to the cause on which he is engagd.

We therefore do him the justice to say that it is our opinion that every exertion on his part hath been made to protect the inhabitants, both from the depridations of the enemy and the disagreeable consiquences which often attend Soldiers being Quarterd among citizans.

That he hath at all times both kept himself and all others (so far as hath been in his power) from all unlawfull intercorse with the enemy.

These our sentiments we big leave to lay before your Excellency as we think it but a just obligation we are under to those gentlemen who have merited it from us and their country in General.