Altho’ I am, personally, an entire Stranger to your Excellency, you may perhaps recollect the late Revd. W. Barton, a Clergyman of Lancaster in this State, whose Son I am.

Permit me, Sir, to introduce to your Notice as an American, the Bearer of this, my Brother Matthias Barton; who has resided some Time at L’Orient, as a Merchant, in Copartnership with a Nephew of Mr. Macarty of the House of Cuming and Macarty.

I beg your Excelly. will pardon this Liberty, which I should not take, if my Brother’s Character would not bear the strictest Scrutiny. My own Name is, I believe, not unknown to some Americans at Paris. I have the Honor to be, With the highest Respect, sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient humble servant.