To his Excellency Josiah Martin Esqre Captn General Governor and Commander in Chief in and over his Majesties Province of North Carolina—
The Petition of a Number of the Distressed Inhabitants of Rockey River & Coddle Creek Settlement in Mecklenburgh County North Carolina Humbly Sheweth
That whereas a Certain No of young men, Ignorant of their Duty to our Sovereign Lord the King, riotously Assembled in a wicked manner, Combined against Government, without the least Knowledge, Advice, or Consent, of any Parent, friend, & some of them even Demented by Spiritous Liquors, did, about the first of May last, rashly & inconsiderately Destroy the ammunition of General Waddle & Sundrys, the Property of Colo. Moses Alexander; for which wicked deed, Their Parents and Friends are Drowned in Sorrows & the Unhappy Perpetrators truely & Deeply Afflicted. Permit us, yr Excellencys most humble petitioners, to assure your Excellency, that these Miserable persons were, prior to this Fact, esteemed faithfull & loyal Subjects. We Cannot but most tenderly Compasionate the Desolate & Distressed, & Even take part in their affliction and Having learned your exceeding Humanity and that benign Temper of mind with which you are so Eminently Possesed of; We therefore big with expectation, Cannot but Sollicit & most earnestly & importunately pray, that your Excellency would be Graciously pleased to extend to these unhappy, though unworthy Subjects, his Majesties most free & gracious Pardon. That your Excellency may see Loyalty to the best of Sovereigns, & Fidelity to our noble Constitution,
flourishing among us; & the Reigns of Government easy and Delightfull to yourself, Shall be the Sincere Prayer of your Excellencys most humble & Dutifull Petitioners.