The declining state of my health together with the advice of my physicians having determined me to go to a southern climate, and being bred to the Law in the practice of which I am now setting out; I take the liberty of humbly soliciting to be appointed by your excellency to the office of Attorney General of the Mississippi Territory. The various duties of which office (should your excellency please to appoint me) I shall pledge myself to be unremittingly assiduous in the discharge off.

Having the honour to be known to Mr. Craik of Maryland, to Colo. Gelespie of N.C. to Mr Clopton Coln. New & many members from Virginia as also to Mr Burgess, Mr Clopton, Coln. I. Claiborne General McDowel and several other members of congress; as also to Governor Martin, Judge Anderson, & General Mason of the Senate, your excellency can from the first mentioned Gentlemen have any information you may deem necessary relative to me, to the latter I am but personally known in a measure, as likewise from Mr Willm. Bingham to whom I am known by character—

Having been emboldened to make this solicitation to your excellency at the instance of several Gentlemen deeply interested in that Country, and having come to Town with a veiw of making this application to your excellency, I shall await the knowledge of your excellencys pleasure with the most profound respect. (tho’ the city air at this season is extremely prejudicial to me) And shall hope in this instance (as well as in every other where your excellency shall please to honour me) by a zealous and prompt discharge of all commands you may please to favour me with, too approve myself worthy a portion of your excellencys confidence the attainment of any part of which I should ever consider as the brightest epoch in my life—

Awaiting your excellencys pleasure being known in the premises—I have the honour to be with the most profound respect and Obedience Your excellencys / truly devoted / And most humbly Obedt. Servant