when I think of Intruding upon your Excellency it puts me to the blush and almost determins me not to be thus troublesome but Necessity that Frequently puts us upon what we have not a mind to, and often forces us against our Inclinations is now the motive that Induces me to be thus troubesome. At the Commencement of the War between America and Britan, I was deprived of a Parent, one who took up Arms in the cause of Liberty, only a private soldier, but soon fell a Victim in the Cause in which he was engaged, and left a Wife, and Eight Children, to lament his Death in poverty the Eldest sixteen, Immediately joind the Army, and soon met the same fate his Father had done, the next two, as soon as their Age admited, joind the Army, and were preserved till it hapily decided in favor of America: ⟨an⟩d Myself the youngest have been exposed to Hardships ⟨mutilated ⟩ my earliest Infancy till now; being under a pertic⟨ular⟩ disadvantage of having much sickness, and am now not able to Labour for a support, and have not any Friend to apply to for assistance, that is able to assist me in setting up in business: Therefore, Sir I have taken the Liberty of letting your Excellency, kno my Circumstances, and most humbly to ask your Excellencys’ kind assistance in affording me some help in seting up a small Grocery in N. york, to set me a bove the reach of want, for which I believe I shall soon have it in my power to repay tho not to make a full satisfaction such an Act of Generosity would lay me under. When I first thought of making known my Circumstances, and Petitioning to your Excellency, for assistance; the great and Immortal Charracter, and Name your Excellency has so justly merited, struck me with an Awe that for some time past has kept me in silence, for fear of Offending; but upon maturely considering that the Welfare of Mankind has been your Excellencys’ greatest Delight, and that it is by your Excellencys’ wise Administration America now enjoys Peace, I say these Considerations have encouraged me to make known my Circumstances: And I most humby Pray that your Excellency will excuse the Liberty I have taken. I am with great respect Sir, your Excellencys’ most humble and most Obedient Servant,