Under the most sensible impressions of gratitude to you Sir for the appointment I now hold, the duties of which I hope I have discharged in such manner, as to merit your approbation, and that of my fellow Citizens—beg leave to offer myself as a Candidate for the Naval office of this District, vacant in consequence of the unfortunate Death of Doctr Phile1—I trust Sir I shall not appear presumptious or over greedy in making this request—The naval office being consider’d a superiour Grade in the Customs—I feel an honest ambition to receive this further mark of your goodness Sir, which I shall value in the highest degree; as it will be an evidence of my conduct having been such, as to merit your approbation. I have the honor to be with the most perfect respect your most obedient Servt