Did I not know that your Excellency was once intimate with my Fathers family, and on that account will be pleased to pay some attention to my Letter, believe me Sir, I shou’d never have presumed to have troubled you on this occasion, but when I reflect you will give an ear to a candid story, and perhaps at the same time use your influence in my behalf, I concieve it a very great honor to address your Excellency on the Subject, relying more on your humanity than any thing I can plead in my own behalf.

At the age of six years, I was sent by my Father to Europe for my Education, I never did return to this Country, untill after it was engaged in War, and then I was obliged to do so because my Father had no longer the means of making me remittances to prosecute my studies, I most candidly confess to your Excellency, that I was fond of joining the Royal army, I was educated in Europe, I came from there to this Country at the age of sixteen, of course after being so long in that Country, I knew no other Army, no other power, and most readily joined them.

In south Carolina when the Royal Army was most successfull I married the Daughter of Colonel Stark of the American Army, whose long sufferings in the Provost there, I know Your Excellency has already been apprized of I assisted that Family, when in the greatest Distress, even shar’d my pay to the last sixpence with them, I never did harm to any person in America, nor I cannot be led to think that your Excellency will blame me for what I have now wrote you.

My Lady is now in Virginia young & beautifull, lamenting the absence of her husband so much that I am told she is likely to fall into a decay, she is the Darling Child of her Father, and my having your Excellencys permission to go to her, woud not only make her Fathers Family and my Fathers Family happy, but lay me under eternal obligations to your Excellency.

I have now been candid with your Excellency for I am told you despise duplicity, and I well know that did your Excellency but hint to Congress your approbation of my being once more permitted to Visit my Native Country, My Wife and Family; that I shoud soon be made the most happy man alive, let me once more entreat your interest in my behalf; perhaps your Excellency [   ] think that my application is more through self interested views, than an affection to my absent Lady, permit me to tell you to the Contrary, for I am the youngest of many Children, I have no fortune to look for at my Fathers death, my application to you is to make Mrs Wormeleys relations and herself happy.

I resign’d my Company in the Army four months ago, I have only to add that it is in your power to make my Family happy for ever, and lay me under lasting Obligations to Your Excellency. I have the honor to be with much respect Your Excellency’s most Obedient humble Servant