Some time A Go I Came down from Newburgh the west side of the North River of A desire to go on Longisland in A flag as they went from here but was unhappily Disappointed I stayed A [   ] here A month as [negh] as I can Recollect I not being acquainted with getting A flag when I came from home I had not A permit from his Excelency Governor Clinton I was advised to send and get one which I did but after I had sent I heard that they would not Recieve flags on the Island I advised with my friends at Norwalk what to do as I had such A desire to see my Parents that I had not seen for above 5 Years and that I was Married just before the war I left the island when the British was hourly expected in I went away in such A hurry that I Could not Carry away what my Parents would have Given me I was in A strait [from] some particular things and with the advice of my friends I went over in A wail boat from this side [&] it was not my Choice I am now Returned in A flag with A few things I heard by A flag before I came from the island that I had A permit Come and that I might return and have so done and I beg leave of his Excelency that I might return with my few things to my family if I have transgrssed I ask forgiveness and I hope that his Exalency will Enquire my Caracter of Col. Lutelo who quartered at our hous last winter he knows that we are good friends to Amarica and wish it well I am sorry to make you so much trouble I am A wife to Able Belknap Esqr. at Newburgh I am mentioned in the flag at New Winsor but it is A mistake

I Sarah James Wife of Allen James in south Kingston in the State of Rohod issland by Permission of the General Assembly to come to Long island and to Return back as my mother went to Long island Just before the Island given up & died there not Long ago and I being the only Child she had and Left me a Considerble Valley Interest to me so I had Liberte from the state of Rohed island and Likewise a flag granted from Cornal Ledger at New London (and was Landed by the flag there and) now got Libert[y] to come here but could not get my [   ] my Papers to send head Quarters see if they would give me Liberty to have what I had Left me & I could not get it may it Please your honour to grant me Liberty to Return home to my family & I shall Take it a great faviour,