A couple of affairs paculiarly unfortunate and distracting during my Residence in Philad. rendered an application for legislative Relief indispensably necessary. This I obtained by a special act in my favor, discharging me from the Claims of my Creditors prior to Feb. or March 1776, on making an Assignment of all my Estate. Having with the utmost Fidelity, complied with the Conditions of the Law, I became legally relieved from my obligations until future good fortune should enable me to discharge them. This happy Period hath not yet arrived (a Revolution having had no auspicious Influence over my Affairs) when it does, I shall not want the Inclination to satisfy every just Demand against me—for I shall ever consider myself morally bound to pay my Debts, notwithstanding the legal Interposition, the first Moment it shall be in my Power. Of this Inclination I have given very strong Proof—and my Assignees, sensible of the uprightness of my Conduct & the Rectitude of my Intentions have honoured me with uncommon Marks of Friendship & Confidence. This Confidence hath enabled me to secure some Part of my Interest for the Benefit of my Creditors. I have recently sold a Lot of Land in Rhode-Island, the Part of Money of which will be speedily paid to the acting Assignee. When a sufficient Sum is obtained, to render a Dividend an object of importance, it will no doubt be made. After it hath taken place, the Balance due to each Creditor will be known, and I shall then state to them my Design of placing Money, from Time to Time, in the Hands of any Trustee they shall be pleased to name and appoint, for the discharge of that Balance—not doubting, however, that a Consideration of my Misfortunes will excite their Compassion so far as to abate me the Interest, as some have, indeed, already done—especialy as the late War hath been the means of reducing the Value of what I assigned almost equal to the Depreciation of Continental Money. It will then be manifested that it was often in my Power to pay off every Creditor in that Fund of money—and my not imitating the many examples before me (by which I was, myself, so often a Sufferer) I persuaded myself will be imputed to the proper Motive, & entitle me to the Favr. of my Creditors—particularly one so capable of judgment, & so distinguished for Benevolence as Dr. Franklin.

If it should be suggested that I am in possession of valuable Property, I would beg Leave to observe, that this Property is an unfortunate Speculation, for the Purchase Money of which my Friends have become responsible, and that I have, from a Principal of Justice & Gratitude, indemnified them as far as I was able—leaving myself only the Means of earning a moderate Subsistence for myself & Family, which I am persuaded Dr. Franklin will not wish to abridge—I anxiously wish to stand well with that great Character, and your Friendship & Influence in gaining me his Favour, is most earnestly solicited, & will be ever gratefully remembered by Sir. Your very respectful humble Servant