You’ll please excuse my Addressing your Honor on a subject of this kind, but necessity has no Law, my late Husband Joseph Rhoads of this City House Carpenter, dyed in the Year 1784. and left me a Widow with five small Children, his assertions while living, and his Accounts left with me, gave me to understand that Mr. Robert Smith late of this City House Carpenter deceased, was considerably in his Debt, and by frequent applications at length prevailed upon Mr. John Smith (Son and) Administrator to Mr. Robert Smith to have the Accounts settled between the parties by Arbitration, which was accordingly done, and an Adward given in favour of my late Husband of Sixt four pounds, ten Shillings and three pence, have several times since waited upon Mr. John Smith requesting him to settle said Adward, but instead of a Settlement Received nothing but abusive Language, and unless I receive speedy relief expect nothing short of being with my Children turned out of Doors, that Debt being the only Resource left me, the British having distroyed the Rest of my Husbands property, when he was out with our Army. But having heard that there is an unsettled Account between your Honour, and the Estate of Mr. Robert Smith, which is so and any Balance remaining in your Hands, it wou’d be a Charitable act to reserve it for me and my poor Children, as I am not likely to receive it from Mr. Smith without a Suit at Law which for the reasons already assigned, I am rendered intirely incapable of, inclosed your Honour may see a Certifyed Coppy of the Adward in my Husbands favour, your Honours answer per the Bearer will ever oblige a distressed Widow and Your most Obedient Servant