To George Washington from Silas Barber, 9 June 1783

We the Subscribers your Humble Petitioners do most Graciously intreat your Excellency &c.

But it gives us the Utmost trouble & Concern to think we must be under the disagreeable Necessity to trouble A Gentleman of so great Qualifications and ready Compliance to Justice and Honor but as the greatest Necessity and difficult and threatening distraction calls upon us at this Junctor we beg your Excellency will be pleased to hear your Humble Petitioners once more &c. in Reference to Lt Colo. Popkins as we have no Reason to doubt but what your Excellency has been thoughroughly Acquainted of the Injury we have sustained and do to this day by Lieut. Colo. Popkins in whom we reposed confidence and Trust.

Sir as we have been favoured with your Excellencys and Major General Knox’s Gratitudes by sending Serjt Howes to Boston to Liut. Colo. Popkins &c. but the Disbandment of the Army taking place Obliged us to trouble Your Excellency before we Received a final Answer but not having Received any pay and not being permitted to draw our Rations we shall not be able to tarry ’till the Arrival of Serjt Howes, And having no sufficient Reason to expect a final settlement by Serjt Howes we do most earnestly Beseech your Excellency to Adopt some Measure in favour of us the subscribers before Liet. Colo. popkins Receives his final settlement, from the Publick &c. We Remain your Excellencys Most Humble Petitioners