Although letters from a person unknown like me, to Men in your exalted station are generally fraught with publick matter, as the friend of a deceas’d parent, give me leave to flatter myself you’ll excuse the deviation of a Son, who owes you equal respect and Esteem; and who, presumeing on that alone, ventures to address you as such and call on your attentions.

That bright star which gave life and liberty to America, produc’d a revolution here, and beam’d its glorious rays successfully on France. There—mounted to a blaze, a genial influence is reflected back so paramount to prejudice, that to participate the sufferings of those brave people, or share the smiles of their success has finally become the height of my ambition. Dureing our late struggle for independance, my Youth has often been lamented. Now—when arriv’d to a proper age, blest with a constitution capible of the fatigue, and above all, enraptur’d with the prospect of signalizeing myself in so noble a cause: behold—the great creditor of Our Country, presents an ample field to gratify each longing inclination, one only obsticle excepted; the Medium of some Friend to succeed in a country where custom expects it, and where a state of warfare may make it necessary.

As a stranger—I have ventur’d hard in addressing you with so much Freedom. But—if you knew the time I have taken to reconcile its Quixotic features, Your answer would be ready and candid. Meanwhile, should you do me the Honor I’ve express’d, I shall leave my Country the ensueing Spring, with a resolution, not willingly to disgrace it, and impress’d with a becomeing degree of gratitude to You. I am, Dear Sir, with respect & esteem,