Herewith the poor petitioners of Deptford Yard are much abused by the Navy Board in abating us of one third of our wages which has been the accustomed pay for 50 years. Your poor petitioners are willing to serve His Majesty to the utmost of their powers in what they are capable of. We humbly crave your Excellences to consider our conditions and give such Orders that we my have our ancient Customs and privileges restored without which our families are unable to subsist.