I cannot presume to speak of Mr. Young’s demands or pretensions in the way of salary and expences, but I can from personal knowledge affirm that his frugality has been exemplary, his distress considerable, and his conduct so meritorious and so perfectly conscientious and discreet, that I have intrusted him with the management of a very considerable concern (to the amount of not a few thousand pounds sterling in money) without any security given on his side.

To my Salary as Secretary to The Honorable Henry Laurens Esquire, on an Embassy to Holland, from October 1779 until February 1782 @ £ 250 Sterl. per Ann. £ 567 14s. 2d. Sterling n.b. I set out from Philadelphia with Mr. Laurens in order to embark from South Carolina. Being there disappointed of a passage, the Enemy having block’d up the Harbour, we returned to Philadelphia, and embarked in the Month of August 1780 by order of Congress. On the 3d September following we were taken by the Enemy. I was committed to Forton Prison—made my escape, and on the 5th February 1782 was employed by the Minister Plenepotentiary at the Court of France, in his Office until the 14th April, when I obtained Doctor Franklin’s consent to wait upon Mr. Laurens in England for the purpose of offering a continuance of my services as his Secretary. I went there, made the offer, and attended Mr. Laurens until now; but I have only charged Pay up to the time when I was employed in the Public service at Passy, leaving the remainder to the determination of Congress.

“Mr. Moses Young whom I had engaged at my first appointment by Congress to attend me as a Secretary and Assistant, has made a Claim for Five hundred and sixty seven pounds, fourteen shillings and two pence Sterling as due to him for Salary to the 5th February 1782, when he entered the public service under Doctor Franklin. I shall recommend the payment of the said sum of £ 567 14s. 2d. Sterling to the Doctor. Mr. Young’s loss of time, loss of Effects, and sufferings in imprisonment, as well as his Zeal and attachment in the Cause of America, will be considered by Congress; and I hope when he shall make a proper Representation of his Case, a further sum will be granted to him.”

I Certify the above Extract to be truly Copied from my Letter of this date to Congress and I do recommend the payment of the Sum of Five hundred and sixty seven pounds 14s. 2d. sterling the sum mentioned to be made to Mr. Moses Young by His Excellency Benjamin Franklin Esquire on Account of the United States of America.