The Knight of Baillevit in favour of whom I had the honour three months ago to write to your excellency presents himself now before him and asks his protection. When I had the honour to pray you to be favourable to his shiping on the paul jones vessel I Laid him before you as an ordinary poor suitor full of good will and seeking some employment. I was then ignorant of the Reasons and motives wich Could give more weight to his suit his Correspondant had Concealed them from me. The answer you have honoured me was without Replication. You had and have now more officers than you want, but this officer who is just arrived to Paris is not a novice among the troops of America. He has born arms there with distinction here is his story: he Left France to bear arms in your Country, the Certificates of the chiefs I have the honour to send to your Excellency Make a proof of his good behaviour Mr de la Fayette of whom he has deserved the esteem and protection advised him to Return in France that he might procure him a more advantageous employment, and Mr de la Fayette sent to Mr de Sartine some good    to the glory of this officer. The infortunate gentleman was taken in his voyage, he was led in England and was exchanged but he never Could find the ways to Rejoin his protector. Now he is Come to Paris, Mr de la Fayette is in America. He burns with the desire to be near him, he does implore your help that you would be so kind as to give him some letters of Recommendation for the men of note who live in the main harbours of America where he may land. By this mean he shall have more facility to Come to master de la Fayette. The destiny of this gentleman is very pitiful. When one hears him and sees the proves he affords one would believe his unfortune should Cease at his Coming near Mr de la Fayette. The virtues of this officer are a good waranteer he don’t take a false advantage of this general’s protection besides the notes to the glory of this officer from master la Fayette’s hand are yet Remaining to the marine office. I think your excellency would do a pleasure to Mr. de la Fayette in granting this gentleman the favour he begs of you. From the Rest I have not forgotten what your Excellency has been pleased to write to me: that you had Received orders from the Congress to give No Kind of Encouragement to the passing of more military officers in America. If I venture myself to present the prayers of this officer before your Excellency, t’is I Consider his state as very different from that of the others, and the Reasons he affords to Return in America are at Least worthy of hearing if the Circumstances make an obstacle to the success.

I have the honour to be sir with a great Regard your most humble and obedient servant