WE your Petitioners, Inhabitants within the district of the 4th Brigade and 4th Division of OHIO Militia beg leave to represent to your Excellency the exposed and defenseless state of this Frontier and the absolute necessity of its being immediately furnished with a supply of Arms and ammunition --- Provisions calculated for the Northwestern Army are lodged along the Lake shore in various Storehouses and places of deposit awaiting the opening of the Lake for the convenience of transportation, without a guard, and under the very eye of a vigilant Enemy with no intervening obstacle but a water of which that Enemy has the complete control --- The Militia although zealous and spirited in an eminent degree, are entirely destitute of Ammunition and almost of Arms. the deficiency? of which is so considerable that it is impracticable for more than one fourth to arm themselves in a suitable manner. Under these circumstances and impressed with the importance of being suitably armed in case of an attack we are induced to intercede? with your Excellency for a loan of one Thousand Stand of arms and a suitable supply of ammunition for the immediate defense of the Lake shore ----

We submit the matter to Your Excellency not doubting but you will adopt measures best calculated to promote the military interest of the Country ---

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A similar petition from Ashtabula Township residents can be found in the documents section of the Ohio Historical Society site. Names of the signees, however, are not listed.