Your letter by Major Olney I was duly honored with, and is now before me—Your letter to the Govr was read, in the Assembly, and they have ordered that the money some time since granted, shall be raised as soon as possible—to facilitate the payment of which, they have likewise directed that several confiscated Estates in Newport, shall be sold, and the monies arising from the sale, appropriated to the use of the Regt.

They have deputed a Committee to meet a delegation from the Regt for the purpose of settling Arrears &c.—I am Sorry it is not in my power to give you a just and accurate account of all the transactions of the assembly in their late Session—But am incapable of doing it from not having an opportunity of conversing with Major Olney after he had finished his business, but a few minutes—and my own indisposition at the time they sat would not permit me to go out—I have made shift to Hobble down to Mr Jno. Innes Clarke’s to procure what intelligence I have already related with respect to the Regt—Major Olney being out of Town, and I believe unacquainted with the present opportunity, made me more solicitous of giving you this intelligence as no doubt had he been here he would have wrote largely.

Previous to the arrival of Maj. Olney, I wrote you by Mr Dailey—(I think) the date I have forgot, as I had not time to take a Copy—in that, I acquainted you that I was at that time incapable of going out—owing to a cold settling in my limbs—since that, I have been confined the greatest part of the time—& when out, scarcely able to walk across the way—My Physician pronounces it to be the Rheumatism—and advises me to retire from the Service as it not only renders me unfit for military Duty—but the Hardships and Fatigues incident to the Life of a Soldier must naturally enervate & confirm it. To be obliged to request a dismission from the Army contrary to the established custom, is to me very irksome, but I hope the circumstances under which I at present labour will excuse me—as I am really so much debilitated in my limbs as would make it impracticable for me to join—I have not Sir, taken this Step without seriously deliberating on the moment of it—after serving in a Regt that I loved—and with it, as an individual, sharing the hardships to which it was opposed—to be obliged in consequence of those hardships to request a discharge—is a circumstance that affords me many painful sensations—but when I consider the situation of my health which, from it’s being peculiar, I’m induced from motives of justice to the Service & Regt, & regard for myself, to beg you would use your influence with the Commander in Chief to procure me a discharge—To the public I am not indebted, as your knowledge of the matter & the Pay Master’s Books will evince—The money which you left in my hands has been paid except for one or two persons whom I cannot find—The circumstance of my not being able to join, will, I presume to hope, induce his Excellency to dispence with the common mode, observed in the resignation of Officers—at the same time I must declare upon the credit of a Soldier, that if I could make personal application I would do it with chearfulness, rather than appear desirous of having an uncommon degree of indulgence shewn me.

If you would be pleased to Consider the motives of my retiring & use your interest (in promoting my wishes), in soliciting his Excellency in my behalf—I shall esteem the obligation by which I am bound, greatly ener[gized] and strengthened. I have the honor to be very respectfully—Sir, Your obedient and humble Servant