The Office of Collector of the Port of New Haven in the State of Connecticut having become vacant by the Death of David Austin Esquire, I take the Liberty to solicit of your Excellency an appointment to succeed him in the office. A friend has in my absence, transmitted from New Haven the accompanying Certificate, signed by respectable Men. Perhaps it will not be deemed improper to observe, that from a family connexion with the former Collector, during an illness of long continuance, I have had some practical acquaintance with the duties of the office—On a subject in itself delicate, and presuming there will be Competitors for the appointment, I chearfully submit my request to investigation, and should a complyance with it be considered compatible with public, shall endeavour by a faithful discharge of the duties of the office to evince that the confidence was not misplaced. In every event, I shall ever continue to retain the highest esteem & respect for your Excellencys personal Character

I have the honour to be / your Excellencys / obedient & humle Servant