On the Method of Plants

To the Right Honourable the Governor and Company of the Somers Islands Plantation The Somers Islands is the historical name for Bermuda, named after Admiral Sir George Somers who was shipwrecked there in 1609., the Humble Petition of the Inhabitants of the Somers Islands,

Most Humbly shows,

THAT whereas your Honours have been pleased of late, to make several Laws for the Government and well-being of us the Inhabitants in this Island, as you do relate; BUT your Honours living so far distant from us, knowing not so well our condition, as we ourselves do; That if those Laws you have lately made, be put in execution, private men may be gainers thereby; BUT the generality of all the Inhabitants shall be brought to the same condition as it was Thirty and odd years ago, Three Men to one Shirt A vivid local idiom expressing extreme poverty and a lack of basic supplies during the colony's early years.: Therefore we most humbly pray you to consider our Petition, as at large is there set forth, WE flying to your Honours for relief, as Children to their Parents; begging from your Honours, That the Rod may not lie so heavy upon our backs, nor the yoke on our necks, but that we may be relieved from those oppressing By-Laws By-Laws: Local ordinances or private regulations made by the Company that governed the island's trade and conduct. you have made:

Signed by