The liberty, Sir, I take to send You this letter, proceeds from the renown of Your infinite humanity, and Generosity; but more from the advise of a Gentleman of Your Country, who in his letter, which I have the honour to inclose for Your perusal, directs me to apply in my forlorn, and destitute condition to You for relief.

I have been this morning, Sir, to wait on You at Passy, and was so unhappy to come some minutes after, You was gone. Having taken the step to address myself to You, I wish to trespass the least possible upon Your patience, for this purpose. I think it fit, Sir, to prevent You of my situation in a letter, endeavouring to lay it before You in the shortest manner, I can.

I am an unhappy young German, who by a marriage contrary to his family, is reducd through a chain of continual misfortunes to the most pitiful condition. One of those ventured Undertakings, that only by their Events prove good or bad, brought me to Paris: I had the flattering hope to get here by some honest employment my livelihood speaking German, latin, french, Italian, and little English, wherof, Sir, You see an essay [this?] letter; but instead of bettering my fortune, I am now, as a perfect stranger, in this Country, indebted, without money, without any help, having pawned all our clothes, immersed in the greatest distress, which highly increases, seeing my poor sick Wife almost given to the fiercest despair.

Dare I hope, Sir, that Your generous Compassion will bestow some benefit upon so unhappy a Couple? The Confidence, Sir, I put in Your bounty, will give me courage to come wait on Your gracious Commands to Morrow Morning between eight and nine. I hope, Sir, You will grant me this favour, and have the honour to be, with the most profound Respect. Sir! Your most obedient and most humble servant