I beg leave through you Sir to accept the appointment with which His Excellency the President has been pleased to honor me, an honor I hope in some degree to deserve by constant endeavours to discharge the duties attached to it in a becoming manner—

As soon as I can prepare to join Captain Mc⟨C⟩lallen I will give you notice and wait your orders—

It would be highly gratifying to my pride could I equip myself completely and prepare against travelling expences without anticipating an advance of pay But Sir it is impossible, I therefore humbly presume I may experience a favor understood to be not uncommon—For the present I would prefer cash instead of rations—

I have the honor to be Sir your devoted hume servt