I Know now how to apologize for the Liberty I now take—your own goodness of Heart must Seal my Pardon. I can only Say, that were our situations changed, I should do the same for you.

I have fixed my Son, Mr. Robert O’Callaghan Newenhamm at Marsailles, where his Sister lives, she is maried to Mr: Folsch of that City, and Consul for Sweden at that and the Neighberoughing Ports; I invest all his fortune in the Trade of that rizing City, where he will Spend the rest of his Days.

He has often addressed me to solicit this Favor, at last his perseverance and Sanguine hopes of Success have induced me to second his wish—it is to have the distinguished Honor conferred upon him by the Congress of the United States of North America, of being appointed their Consul at the Port of Marsailles. I will be bound in any penal sum for his good Conduct. I can assert, on the most Sacred Word of Man, that he is blesd with the purest Principles of Integrity and Virtue—he is attentive to his Religious and Civil duties—he has Exceeding good Natural parts, and is well read in History—Speaks French perfectly, and is now learning all other Languages. Though he is my Son, I would not ascribe Merits or Virtues to him, which he did not really possess. He was always warm in the Cause of America, as all the rest of my Family (one only Excepted) have been.

May I then, my Dear and ever respected Friend, entreat your parental solicitation in favor of a beloved and Dutyfull Son; thus to Honor the Parent and raise the Son into future consequence. It will be mine and my Family’s Pride to have my Son distinguished by Congress (that Glorious Assembly of Patriots) in whose care I so Early engaged; whose interests I Supported, whose Suffering Sailors I often releived, and I beleive the active part I took in preventing more troops to be sent out of this Kingdom to keep up the Devastation of War in America, is well Known to Congress. I never deserted their cause when Victory appeared Doubtfull—though my Estate and perhaps my Life would have been forfeited had not their own perseverance (aided by Heaven) overcome difficulties then deamed unsurmountable.

This Request and Circumstances being Laid before Congress by you, will I trust ensure Success; I shall be proud to shew my Countrymen, that my Zeal for American Independence has been rewarded in the most Honourable manner, and that the Saviours of American Freedom bear a reciprocal regard for their Irish Friends. I shall empateintly expect the Honor of an Answer. I have the Honor, to be, Dear Sir, with the most Sincere and perfect Respect and Esteem your most obliged and obedient Humble Servant