I take the Liberty to Adress your Excellency for the purpose of Laying before you my present Siutation and Distresses. I am a native of Spain, and came over to this Country about the commencement of the late war with Great Britain, during which period I was in the American Service and being intirely disabled from Wounds &c. (received while a Soldier) to gain a living by any kind of Labour whatever, this State has generously allowed me the pension Agreeable to a late Action of Assembly.

But Sir, this pension is very far from being Adequate to the Support of my family: which beside myself Consists of three Motherless Small Children nor is it in my power in my present Situation to maintain them, the only means I lately have had for their Support was by Selling some small wares About the Country, which I am now forbid to follow without Liberty from this State.

For these reasons I have presumed to Supplicate your Excellency that you would please to give me a Certificate permitting me to sell some small things through the Country, the profits of which added to the pension I receive may enable me to bring up my Children.

Being a Stranger little Acquainted with the Language or Laws of this Country yet being well Assured of your benevolence towards the poor of this State I Choose (in preference) to make my Application to your Excellency, confident that your consent will be readily Obtained for the relief of the Distressed, among which number I hope that your Excellency on the consideration of Case will include me as an Object truely meriting your favour, and whose only wish is for an Opportunity to gain an honest living for himself and family so far as his Slender Circumstances will enable him. Your kind protection shall be most gratefully Acknowledged with every Sentiment of Respect and Esteem by Respected Sir Your Excellency’s Most Humble and Obedient Servant