Having by various means assisted, and afforded relief to a great number of American Prisoners confined in Mill Prison Plymouth during the war between Britain and America, your Excellency have undoubtedly heard of my Name from those who made their Escape and others via France, but from the Multiplicity of great Concerns on your Head during a Number of Years, ’tis hardly Possible you should remember it.

Having a desire to settle in this Country, and concluding from various Circumstances that a Peace would soon take place between the two Countries I embarked in a Brig of my Own in Octr: 1782 with part of a Cargo on     for St. Thomas’s in the West Indies and the remainder of the Cargo on my own Account, with a View to push into some port of America as soon as Peace took place, dispose of my Goods, send the Vessel back loaded with Tobacco &c, and bring out my Family.

I arrived at Baltimore 21st April 1783 the first Vessel after the Peace, but in a few days after a great Number of Vessels arrived which so glutted the Market, that Goods were soon Vendued and sold considerably under first cost and produce considerably advancing, I dispatch’d the Vessel as soon as Possible for James River, from thence in Septr: loaded with Tobacco &c for England and my Family arrived at Philada: the April following, by which time, by losses on the Vessel the Outward and homeward bound Cargoes, and some other losses on Cargoes from the Mediterranean to England about the same time, I had sunk about two Thousand Pounds Sterling.

Having a large House and great Rent to pay and trade getting worse, we determin’d to take in Boarder’s, soon after I took a Trip to Kentucke with a few Goods, which I have repeated three times in the Course of two years and half but with all my Efforts I have sunk all my Property and am so reduced that I scarce know what to turn my Hands to, to Maintain my Family, having a wife and five young Children unprovided for.

I have lived in this Place a Twelvemonth, but having no prospect of getting sufficient for the Support of my Family here, I purpose now moving them to Lexington, Kentucke in Octr: next.

A Port being now establish’d between Philada: and this Place, it’s propable ’ere long one may be establish’d between this Place and Kentucke, If so, it would be some little advantage to me to be favor’d with keeping the Post office there, as it will be but a small income for a considerable time, it’s propable no person will think of applying for it.

If your Excellency would be so kind to use your Interest in my favour shall be obliged to you, If not agreeable, I doubt not but your Excellency will excuse my troubling you in the Occassion.

When I left England I little thought of being Necessiated to apply for so small a favour in so little a time, I should have thought myself in a very humiliating Situation to be obliged to apply for a place, even of £200 per annum under that Government but my Circumstances are no alter’d and I must Submit thereto, and my reduced Situation Obliges me to Exert myself by every lawful means for the Support of my Family.

I had the Pleasure of Henry Lauren’s Esqr: company at Plymouth the very Instant a Messenger came for him from London, with an Account that the Ministry was changed and that his attendance was requested Immediately by the new Ministry. I had the Pleasure of seeing him in Philada: when he returned from Europe, but not since, he told me he should be very glad at all times to render me any service in this Country in his power and I doubt not of his Sincerity, I did not mention any thing of my having sunk a considerable sum in coming here, I was at that time in hopes of retrieving my losses again, but I find it very hard to do in a strange Country.

Herewith you’ll receive a Letter of yours to the Prisoners in Plymouth, after they had perused it they gave it me and desired me to keep it.

I was very little at home after your Excellency’s return from Europe. I determined many times to wait on your Excellency but I was so dispirited with my losses, that I had no resolution to go any where and having no particular Bussiness I thought it would be rather Intruding so delayed it from time to time ’till I left Philada:. I lived in the late Mr. Israel Pemberton’s House. Your Excellency was once at my House when Richd: Penn Esqr: was there, I did not happen to be at Home at the time.

I Congratulate your Excellency on the safe arrival in this Country, and the Enjoyment of your Health and that you may spend the remainder of your days in ease and Tranquility is the sincere wish of Your Excellency’s Most Obedient Humble Servant