Having learnt that my friend Mr. Appleton being married at Cambridge, returns no more to Europe, I think it a duty to offer you my Services as a Consul of the United States, my early adopted, and much beloved Country; and in this, be assured, Sir, that I am actuated by no motives either of interest or ambition; to both, my heart and understanding have been completely Strangers through a well Spent, active, and not unuseful life. It is possible, and may I add probable, that after all the strange vicissitudes, the gigantic events of the last eighteen years, your Excellency may Still call to mind the Translator of a well intentioned, though not very profound work “Chastellux’s Travels”, to whom you kindly lent your instructive “Notes on Virginia” previous to their publication, and who had the pleasure of frequently conversing with you at Paris, and the satisfaction of Sympathizing with your fond hopes for a happy and glorious result of the then commencing Revolution.

It is that person who now addresses you. Unaccquainted with the language of flattery or intrigue, A Man who in his earliest youth was honoured with the distinguished notice of Franklin, and who preserved his friendship to the last, feels himself at his ease in addressing Mr. Jefferson, the actual President of the United States, a congenial Spirit. I Shall therefore succinctly state to your Excellency, without either presumption or false modesty, my Situation, my qualifications, and motives for making this application to you. After having abandoned from principle, on the very outset, the various paths of interested ambition, and sacrificed my dearest connections to Support the cause of freedom and America, I launched forth with the Same philanthropic hopes of Success into the French Revolution; you know, Sir, how it has terminated; my dangers have been imminent, my escapes miraculous.—Still it has produced salutary effects.—The Struggle being at an end, I purchased a charming retirement in the neighbourhood of Calais, where, possessed of a moderate but independent fortune, I enjoy, Surrounded by my books, and rural occupations, the Society of a few pure, enlightened men; my qualifications are, an excellent education, long experience, a pretty thorough knowledge of mankind, and a perfect accquaintance with the language, manners, laws, customs, present situation, and personages of this Country. I possess good health, maturity of age, and a Strong mind; political and commercial information, and what your Excellency will deem not the least essential quality, a tender, inviolable attachment to America, the only remaining free Country on the Globe, added to a perfect conformity with your views and endeavours for her present and future prosperity and happiness.—

My motives for thus applying to your Excellency may be expressed in a very few words.—1st. and I speak from knowledge and with freedom—the conduct of too many of our inferior Agents in France is frequently injurious to the cause of America, inasmuch (and the painful observation is generally made) as they at times appear more devoted to the cause of England, than of the Country they are nominated to represent, a fact of the highest importance, more especially at this critical and extraordinary moment. 2dly. I venture to think myself particularly capable of rendering material service to America, her Cause and Citizens in this quarter of the world, at this moment.

3dly. In solliciting this employ, I am actuated by no motives whatever of interest, I am in no want; but at the age of near sixty, it is my ambition, my honest ambition to pass the few remaining hours of life in the service of the Republic of the Free States of America; for any, even the most Subaltern situation for her benefit, would be more gratifying to my mind, more Soothing to my feelings, after all my Sufferings in the cause of liberty, than to be the first Minister of the first Potentate of Europe.

I have the honor to be with the most Sincere respect and attachment your Excellency’s most obedient Servt.