The Humble Petition of Ensign James WORMELEY of the 9th Regiment of Foot

Most Humbly Sheweth,

That your Petitioner is of a Family wholly in the Interest of Government, his Brother one of your Majestys Council in the Colony of Virginia, being a Prisoner to the Rebel States.

That Your Petitioner to avoid being compelled to the abhorrent necessity of arming against His King, sought an Asylum in the bosom of this Kingdom early in the year 1775.

That your Petitioner unwilling to clog the bounty of Government, struggled with his adverse Condition for the two succeeding Years when his Excellency the Earl of Dunmore, Governor of Virginia arrived, by whose influence your Petitioner had the honor of being presented with a pair of Colours in the 9th Regiment of Foot July the 3rd 1777.

That your Petitioner divested in the hope of rising in the Army, finds from a Perseverance of two years and a half that the Pay of an Ensign, is not equal with the most studied œconomy, to the Subsistence of himself and Family.

And therefore most humbly prays your Majesty will be most Graciously pleased to allow your Petitioner, to dispose of his Commission in the ninth Regiment of Foot, to such Person, as your Majesty shall think proper, that with the Money arising from the Sale thereof, he may be enabled to pursue some other Line of Life which will better enable Your Petitioner to support himself and Family.

All which is most humbly Submitted.

[James WORMELEY]

I believe what the Pe[ti]tioner sets forth is true.
                      L. GONIE Col. of the Ninth Regt.

Great Britain, Public Record Office, War Office, Class 34, Volume 161, folio 163.

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