I received your Letter of Yesterday.—It would give me great Satisfaction could I with Propriety comply with your Wishes, in writing to my Son in your Behalf: But, as I have avoided all Correspondence, either by Letter or otherwise, with both him and my Father, ever since they went to France, and as I have still strong Reasons for observing the same Conduct, I must beg you will excuse me on this occasion. Be assured, however, that I am fully sensible of your Merit, and that it will afford me the greatest Pleasure to hear that my Son has in any wise contributed to forward your Application for an Exchange. This, I doubt not, from the good Character I have heard of his Disposition, he will readily do; especially as you may be properly considered, from your being one of Lord Cornwallis’s Family, as on the same Footing with his Lordship’s Aid de Camps, who have already been exchanged in France.

With hearty Wishes for your Success, I am, Dear Sir, Your most obedt. hum. Servant

The Letter I have the Honor to inclose you, I was yesterday favored wth. from Governor Franklin; at which time I intended being the Bearer of it to you; but some circumstances having since arisen to prevent me, I take the Liberty of sending to you by Mr. Penn; and at the same time beg to inform you that being unfortunately included in the Capitulation of York Town, I still remain a Prisoner on parole to General Washington, and the American Army; no Exchange having since taken place, and as my situation is not only highly prejudicial to me in my Efforts for Promotion; but also in my Military pursuits; I am emboldened by the recommendation and friendship of your father, to sollicit your Influence to obtain for me a power of serving, or acting in my Military capacity, similar to that already granted to Lord Cornwallis’s Aid de Camp’s, untill hereafter accounted for in a Cartel, or partial Exchange as shall be most agreable to General Washington.

Being on the Staff at the time of the Capitulation at York Town and under the same description wth. the Aid de Camps I am to flatter myself such and Indulgence at this period may not be denied me—

Whatever Impropriety may appear in troubling you wth. this application I hope you will attribute it to a desire (so natural to a Military Man) of being absolved from his Parole, particularly at a Time when his friends can most assist him, and when you consider the many Inconveniencies, I have already Laboured under this war by being three times a Prisoner, I hope you will make some allowance for the Liberty I have taken— I have the Honor to be Sir Your very obedient and very Humble Servant—