I had the honour of writing to you in the beginning of last Month, and as I have no answer to my Letter, I have some reason to suspect it has not reach’d your hands; This has induc’d me to take the Liberty of writing to you a Second time, and as my resolution is steady and invariable I send you at present the Contents of my former Letter.

“You may perhaps be surpriz’d to receive a Letter from a Person who is utterly unknown to you, but I hope the Motifs that promp[t] me to do it will obtain an excuse for attempting it. I have been inform’d that military Gentlemen who desire to enter into the Service of the United Provinces of America, must address themselves to you, and that you are fully authorised to treat with them. In Consequence as I have a very lively feeling for that Cause, and am strongly animated with that generous Love of Freedom which warms the Breasts of the Oppressed Americans, I have determined to offer them my Service. But as I have a family, am possessed of an actual honourable employmen[t] and have reasonable and Certain hopes of future Preferment, I think it is necessary I shoud enter into a detail of my present Circumstances, that by this means you may exactly see, and positively let me know, what Conditions I can expect in entering into the American Service.

I am born a Gentleman, 40 years of Age and a Natif of Irelan[d] Served the Whole late War in Germany as Lieutenant in Dillons Regiment and having friends at the Elector Palatins Court, when the Peace was concluded between England and France, I enter’d into that Princes Service as Captain with a Company was created gentleman of the bed Chamber, and in a few years advanced to be Major of Count Efferens Regiment which grade I have Occupied 8 years, and am actually one of the first to be rais’d to the Rank of Lieut. Colonel. I am a Membe[r] of the Academie des beaux Arts, and of the Society of German Literature; I began my first Services as Officer in France in the Year 17 On any other Occasion I woud decline making an enumeration of this kind, which I do not think capable of constituting any rea[l] Merit, but which at present are absolutely necessary for your knowing, that they may serve and guide you in your resolution, and in taking any Information you may please on this head. I am generally known to any Officer whatsoever, who served before the last Peace in the Irish Regiments in France, and Mr Conway who is in your Service is my particular Friend. Im particularly known by our Minister the Baron Sickingen, from whom if you Choose you can enquire into my Character and Military knowledge, but I hope you will do it with that Caution which an affair of this kind requires, if your proposals, (contrary to my fervent Desires) were unequal to what I think I have a right to expect, and not such, as should determine me to quit a solid Establishment. You will pardon I hope my Open and Artless Style. I look upon you as above low or mean Compliments, and am myself incapable to descend into mean flattery.

I will look upon it as exceeding obliging,if you woud be pleasd to give me a Speedy Answer, that I may settle my Affairs and Family: I woud make no difficulty of making a Tour to Paris to determine matters personally with you, but previously I desire your Sentiments and Proposals.

I shall ever Account myself particularly happy in gaining your friendship, and Whether my project Succeeds or not, you may be assured, that No man Estimes, honours, or Respects you more, than Sir Your most humble and Most obedient Servant