Richard Wells presents his best Respects to Doctor Franklin and begs leave to lay before him a Case of Humanity. Theophilus Gardner formerly of the House of Conyngham & Gardner of this City has been long in very reduced Circumstances and is at present in very great Distress, having pressed on the Benevolence of most of his old Acquaintance to the full Extent it will bear. An accidental Neighbourhood of about 9 Years gave R. Wells an Opportunity of minutely knowing their Difficulties, as well as of becoming acquainted with an important Event that took Place in the Family in the Year 1781, when an elder Brother unmarried died in Jamaica possessed of an Estate, said then to be worth about £20,000; but by subsequent Estimate rated only at £12,000 Jama: Money, and involved in a Debt of about £6000. This Estate was attempted to be willed away; but the Will was not executed; and no Heirs appearing, the Chancellor of the Island appointed John Wedderburn Esqr. to take Charge of the Estate, on Behalf of the Creditors, as appears by his Letter herewith enclosed.

In the Spring of 1784, after considerable Exertions, a few of R Wells’s Friends subscribed £25 each, and T Gardner embarked for Jamaica, but was unfortunately taken ill, and returned in the Pilotboat, whereby their friendly Intentions were frustrated, and Part of the Money dissipated; the rest was returned. A Power of Attorney was sent over to 3 Gentlemen of Character, but no Remittances have ever been received. The pressing Necessity of the Family requires immediate Decision in the Case, and there [is no?] Alternative, but applying to the Overseers of the Poor this Winter, or reattempting the Voyage; to effect the latter there are no Means in his Power but sacrificing a large Portion of his Expectations to [an?] adventurous Usurer, or applying for the humane disinterested assistance of a few of his fellow Citizens; which R Wells with [great?] Confidence beleives, would be repaid with Gratitude and Interest, the Moment he acquires the Power. A Vessel will sail for Jamaica in about 10 Days in which he would gladly take his [Passage?]. If Doctor Franklin should think this distressed Man [worthy?] of Notice, after considering the Papers herewith enclosed, R Wells will wait on the Doctor, and hopes, as his Motives have no other Source than meer Humanity, he shall be pardoned for the Liberty now taken, preferring to submit the Case to [missing] leisure Moment the Doctor might choose to cast his Eye over the Papers, rather than personally intrude with them perhaps at an improper Hour.