I take the liberty of Introducing to your Excellencys notice the bearer, a young Gentleman of the French Nation of great merit, under the Name of Capt. John DuCoins, of the American Army, whose story I beg Leave to trouble you with.

He is the youngest & favorite Son of Luke De Costia an eminent Sugar Planter in Hispaniola near Cape [Toanesis], who has a large Family Settled out, all in affluent Circumstances in that Island—this young Gentleman when he was only fifteen or Sixteen years of age, had some words with one Lewis Tropa, an elderly Batchelor of mixed blood, but immensely rich, on Accot of his aged Father, whom Tropa had used ill, which unavoidably brought on a Duel with the young man, in which Tropa fell; and the Laws of France being so exceedingly Severe in those Cases, and the friends of the [   ] rich, and determined to prosecute, oblig’d the young Gentleman to change the appelation of John [Frs] Borigere De Costia, his real Name, to that of de Coins, and fly for protection to the Spanish Governer [at] Saint Domingo, with whom he Lived for several Months. He afterwards came to Philadelphia, where he engaged with Colo. John White as a Lieutenant in the fourth Georgia Regiment in April 1777, and served in our Army with much reputation during the war, and as he has been [   ] part of that time, under my own imediate observation, I assure your Excellency that he possesses as much tru [   ] and Bravery as any Officer of his Rank whatever. this Misfortune gives him great Concern & trouble and [makes] him exceeding unhappy, as it deprieves him forever of seeing [his] old Father, & other friends, without he can obtain his [King’s] pardon, which he Says is often got on these Occasions, [and] which he conceives is in your Excellencys power alone, [   ] applying to the Minister of France, the French [Court] or in any other way you think proper in his favor which I hope your Excellency’s goodness and Humanity will induce you to do, to make this deserving Young Gentleman and a whole Family happy—and it will be [   ] an additional favor upon, Your Excellency’s obliged and most obt Humble Servt