MS 81.  Literal transcription – misspellings are left intact, xxx denotes illegible word, italicized items are my own comments for clarification.  Please note that in some instances, the letter “s” may have been replaced with the letter “f,” as was the custom at that time – TG.

Title Page:

David Pinkerton Petition for leave to go to N York

Body:

            To his Excellency William Levingston Governor and Commander in Chief in and Over the State of New Jersey.  And to the Honourable the Council of Safety for the Same

                        The Petition of David Pinkerton of Trenton Humbly Sheweth-

                                                That in December 1776, Your Petitioner had taken from him by the British Army a Quantity of Beef Pork & Salt, to the Ammount of 600 pounds.  Besides a Negroe Wench & Male Child of two Years Old, Your Petitioner therefor Humbly Prays that he may have Your permifsion to Demand a Flag to go to New York to Endeavour to Procure payment for s’d Pork &C.  Also to Regain s’d Wench – the above Besides 336 pounds in Silver & Several kinds of Ship goods was taken from him at the above time, And Now being at the Head of a Numerous Family Labouring under many Difficulties that might perhaps be Removed by Obtaining the Permifsion above pray’d for, he therefor Humbly hopes & Prays that you will Grant him Your s’d Permifsion and Your Petitioner Shall Ever Pray-

                                                            Signed: David Pinkerton

Trenton Sept’r 18^th 1778.