I take the liberty of laying before you a memorial epistle, I have presented to the President stating my right to presume upon the publick attention—1 As I have availed myself of an opportunity of mentioning your name, I think it my duty in apprising you of it, to solicit your patronage in support of those pretensions which you sir in a great measure have put it in my power to claim.

My long absence from home threw me entirely from the line of business I was engaged in, and numberless competitors at present prevent the resumption of it, so that I am necessitated to seek every occasion of advancing myself some other way—

I find, sir, that after many Attempts I cannot obtain a settlement from the board of treasury without a certificate from you purporting the propriety of payment from them.—

I sat out the first of November from London and returned thither in August, I incommoded myself exceedingly in embarking immediately from thence,—as both Mr: Jefferson & yourself conceived Congress might wish for every Information that I could give them.—

Upon my Memorial the Board were directed not merely to report, but to take order thereupon— they however insist upon your Certificate as the highest Evidence.—

I have done myself the Honor of calling several Times at Mr: Jay’s without being so fortunate as to see you—

I hope you will justify my presumption in thus addressing you.

I am / sir / most respectfully / your obedient & / humble servant