During our glorious revolution with Great Britain, I had the honor of commanding the 4h Penna. Regt. and other troops to the end of the War, when we were made happy by our Independance. My character, both as an Officer in the field, & as a good citizen when retired from it, has, I flatter myself never been conceived to my prejudice.—On retiring I found my Constitution much impaired by hardships through the War, which together with an increasing family at home, induced me to petition the Honble. the Legislature of the State, for a piece of Land in the reserved tract, opposite Pittsburgh, & an exclusive right of [ferriage] from the town to it.—At the time of Petitioning the house, I did not mention any number of Acres I thought necessary for the establishment of my ferry &c. but expected a much larger grant than what the law expressed, which they were plased to pass in my favor the 25. Septr. 1783.—I would not wish to ask of the honble. the Council any greater quantity of Land than what they think reasonable, but hope they will view the Act of Assembly and resolves of Council on the subject, & do me the favor to call on the honble the Chief Justice (who I am convinced will wait upon them with pleasure on this business) & whom, when up in this Country last did me the honor of going over the Allegheny river with me to view the reserved tract, & is well acquainted with the double Lloss I have sustained owing to one James Robinson living on it.—Also beg leave to refer Council to the Honble David Reddick and George Woods Esquires, & a view of the plan of the Out Lotts surveyed by Mr. Reddick, which I am sensible will point out the propriety of granting me such Lotts against the landing for its accomodation, as Mr. Reddick will please to inform Council of.—My intention of living on that side of the river (provided I obtain the Lotts suitable for my ferry) and the improvements I have already made there, I flatter myself will intitle me to a preference. The price of those Lotts I leave intirely to Council, but request they may not be put up to publick sale, & as soon as the Council will please to resolve in my favor, & the patents executed as I have directed I have provided funded securities of the State, for such payments of them as the Council shall think proper.—At the same time hope Council will please to consider, for this long time past I have had the charge of this reserved tract of Land, which has been of some expence to me, & have endeavoured as much as possibly in my power to prevent any depredations or waste of timber upon it.—Therefore relying on the Honble the supreme Executive Council, to grant me what they shall think just & reasonable, I take the liberty of subscribing myself, their Most Obedient & very Hble servant