Excuse this address from a person whose station in life is far inferior to Your’s, and who to You is an utter Stranger.1

The address is perhaps impertinent, but necessity is my only appology— I Sir was born in Connecticut, and recieved my education at Yale College, but having nothing on which to rely, but my own exertions, when I left the Seminary, have had many difficulties to encounter, and have struggled both with poverty and sickness— Being a lover of science my attention has generally been fixed on literary objects, and the study of Law has been my main pursuit— To the practice of which I was admited in Connecticut and have also lately been admited in this City— My destination now is to some of the interior Counties of this State, to seek a living from my profession; but can hardly brook the idea of going into the Country without Your most excellent work entitled “A defence of the Constitutions of Government of the United-States,”— it contains such a fund of useful knowledge, that it ought to be the companion of every young man in America who is a well wisher to our prosperity— To purchase it I am unable,—as ten Dollars is all the cash I possess or have it in my power to command— Having no friend in this City of whom I can borrow it Your defence is the reason of my thus troubling You, and if through Your means I can obtain it I shall be laid under the highest obligations of duty and gratitude—

I am / May it please / Your Excelleny / Your Excellency’s / Obeidt & humbl / servt