That we are menaced by three of the most potent Nations that the World now can produce, is that time that seriously demand from us our most fruitfull and formidable efforts of immagination and exertion, to combine our means of defence with that of security; which will stimulate a whole people up to a disdainfull indifference, with regard to their wanton experiments and insinuations upon us—This time which has now arriv’d, should not be trifled away in (my humble opinion and with the utmost submission to the Character I address) in the most torpid inactivity, when as enterprising a Nation as probably the World hath heretofore afforded, under the disadvantages they have and are likely to encounter, may resort to stratagem to wrap themselves in that security that shall warrant them in Contentment and everlasting happiness—It pourtrays to an individual, an Idea, that the machinations of it, should at this perilous criterion of our existence, be indefatigueably upon the spur, to evade attacs that most assuredly will emerge from the different quarters, at which we are the most vulnerable—An ingrafted jealousy pervades Europe of us; and nought but tampering with us may ever be expected, now that the custom hath been seconded &ca untill we shall exhibit an attitude that shall forcibly beat down all future connivance at our posterity’s liberty, property and safety in this World of ours—I therefore beg permission (at all times with the same submission,) to attract your attention of the most judicious penetrating nature, and abilities; to the annex’d plan of an Atlantic defence of our lov’d Country—With an Old Spartan view and no other, do I make a tender of it to you, to dispose of it as to you it shall seem mete—Congress and your wisdom there can be no doubt will perceive its intentional merits, and the result I will on any moment satisfactorily with my life attone for—All that in this World prompts me to solicit is a steadfast and stationary Commission with promotion a piece for two of my Sons, who, as they are yet but young, of secondary prerogative; and who have each of them been to Sea: the elder of whom is vers’d in Navigation and is now perfecting himself in the practical parts of that important acquirement—his Indenture within my hand at this moment, specifies by date the eleventh day of April, in the year of our lord, one thousand eight hundred and four, and in the twenty eighth year of the sovereignty and Independence of the United States of America. He was bound to a Captain Legar’e of this port, a Worthy young native, for three years and who unfortunately got drown’d in rescuing the life of one of his own men, who was overboard and who had not attain’d to the knowledge of swimming—Suffer me Sir—for the first time of my existence, to subscribe myself, with the profoundest respect; Your Most Obedient and Most Humble Servant—