To the Supreme Authority of the NATION, The PARLIAMENT Of the commonwealth of ENGLAND. The Humble Petition of Walter Elford of London, MERCHANT,  
Showeth,  
THat whereas in the year 1643. the Petitioner residing as a Merchant and Factor at Smyrna, in good credit and employments; and Sir Sackvile Crow, as ambassador at Constantinople, upon false Information of pretended Treason against the late King, did closely Imprison your Petitioner thirty months, by which his sufferings were very great (as may appear by the annexed copy of his Petition to this Honourable House, and the Report of the Committee for the navy) to whom, amongst other things, the same was referred by your Honours, April 4. Anno 1648. and since by a farther Order of January 27. 1656. it was also referred by the then, Parliament, unto the several persons therein nominated (as by a copy thereof, also here annexed, may appear) But by reason of the multiplicity of the Parliaments weighty 〈…〉 or Turkey Company, and the said Sir Sackvile Crow, your Petitioner was put off from time to time: Which Company, and the said Sir Sackvile Crow (as your Petitioner hath heard from themselves) have lately agreed, by presenting the said Sir Sackvile's Lady with two or three thousand Pounds in money (which in effect was given, even for betraying and mischieving them more than an hundred and fifty thousand Pounds:) But your Petitioner could not be permitted to attach the said moneys (though by him endeavoured) towards part of satisfaction of his damages, sustained by the said Sir Sackvile Crow's malicious dealings with him; By which, and also by tedious suits, occasioned by his foreign false Imprisonment, your said Petitioner is almost ruined.  
Wherefore, Your said Petitioner doth most humbly pray, That your Honours will be pleased to call to Mr. Garland (one of the Members of this Honourable House) for the said Report: And that the said Turkey Company may be prohibited the delivery of those Bonds to Sir Sackvile Crow, which he Sealed to them for the performance of Articles, and the Security which he gave, not to be discharged, until he (who from time to time hath not wanted Advocates) shall give satisfaction to your Petitioner. That your said Petitioner, after so many years attendance on several Committees, may now at last have Justice on, and Reparations from, the said Sir Sackvile Crow, as in your wisdoms shall seem meet,  
And your Petitioner shall ever pray, &c. May 25. 1659. Walter Elford.