That about forty Years ago it was his misfortune to desert from the French service with his Arms and accoutrements—That after having remained two Years in Holland, he was induced by the hope of a better fortune to go over to America, where he has lived above thirty eight years as a peaceable and good Citizen, tho’ reduced to an extreme poverty, to which he submitted with the more reluctance, as he was born to a better fate and happier expectations.

Your Memorialist further represents that he was sometime ago informed by his friend that a considerable estate had fallen to his share in near Fontenay le Comte in the Province of Poitou in France, and that his relations were all willing to let him enjoy it, provided he could remove the disability he lies under by being a deserter from the French service. He is well informed that the allegiance which he has sworn to the United States, cannot make any difficulty to his inheriting the estate, as by the Treaty of 1778 between America and France, Americans and Frenchmen are entitled to inherit in their respective Countries.

Your Memorialist in consequence humbly requests that Your Excellency will be pleased to obtain Letters of Pardon from his Most Christian Majesty’s Ministers, and every other necessary power to enable him to inherit his estate. He relies on your Excellency’s goodness as a Man, as an American, and as a fellow Citizen of Pennsylvania to which State your Memorialist has constantly been attached.

And your Memorialist shall ever pray &c