I hope the Length of Time since I had the Honor of paying my Respects to you, will be no Objection to your granting my present Request, that is of great Consequence to me—1

In the Month of May last I had a Concern in the Ship Ascention, Saml Chase Master, which enter’d the Harbour of the Havanna with 198 Negroes, where they were sold, principally upon a long Credit, to the Amount of upwards of 23,000 Dollars and the said Ship return’d Home to Newport in July— therefore it is become absolutely necessary to send the Ship back, in Order to receive Payment for this large Sum, in Molasses, and the other Produce of the Island—

The Owners of the Ship think that she will not be permitted to enter the Port without a special Licence from their Excellencys, the Commissioners from the Court of Spain to the United States of America; In Order to obtain that Permission they present a Memorial to their Excellencys, which I have taken the Liberty to inclose; and hope through your kind Influence it will be granted—

The Bearer, Captn Joseph Gardner, we have sent especially upon this Occasion, to whom we have given the Merchants Accot. Sales & Accot. Currt. at the Havanna, to produce as Vouchers to our Petition.— As the Ship goes empty we would offer to carry One Thousand or Five Hundred Barrels of Flour for the Government, at the very lowest Freight; and as the Season is too far advanced to send the Ship to New York or Philadelphia, we will be at the Expence of freighting said Flour from New-York to Newport.— If this may be thought serviceable in obtaining the Permission we will chearfully comply therewith.— Captn. Gardner will pay any Expence that may arise on this Affair—2

I am with every possible Regard and Respect / Your most obedient, & / most humble Servant

The bearer, Mrs. Fraser, will deliver you a copy of the Second impression of the “Young Gentleman & Lady’s Assistant.” A work which you were, originally pleased to countenance with Your Subscription; and now, in its improved state, appears honored with Your approbation.1

It is highly gratifying to me, to have this small attempt to promote the interest of the rising age, patronised by Such an illustrious Character;—whose name will be long remembered, with applause, in this Enlightend land of Liberty! Where, virtue, talents, & Patriotism alone entitle men to places of public trust & honor.—

Accept Sir,—of my most hearty thanks, for your polite condescendsion, on this & a former occasion;—that You may long very long, continue, to merit, & receive, the confidence & approbation, of your Enlightened fellow Citizens— Is the Sincere wish of Sir, / Your most obedient & obliged / humble Servant—

You are indeed very kind in expressing your wish to hear from me, when all I can do is to ask favours. As You mention your readiness to assist me with respect to arrangements in the Post Office, I will take the liberty to inform you of our situation in that respect.

The state Post goes no farther than from Philadelphia to Reading, and Mr Williamson of the [Genasee] undertakes to carry the letters farther.1 Btween both we now pay 1s. 6d for a single letter, and 1 1/2 Cent for a News paper; whereas a while ago the former charge was 1S, and the latter 1 Cent— Besides the Post Master at Reading is 341 much complained of for inattention to the duties of his place, and to my certain experience justly.

Now I am persuaded that if the state could undertake to bring the letters to this place, if the post was regular, and the charge moderate, it would answer very well. At present the charge is so high, and the conveyance so uncertain, and tedious, that all persons take every opportunity of sending letters by private hands; when, if the case was different, they would all prefer the regular post. But tho there should for the present be some loss to the state, it would not be of long continuance, and the gain in one place should compensate for the loss in another. Could we have a Coach, or a coachée, to carry parcells, and passengers, as well as letters, it would be a great convenience and benefit to the country, and in time would pay for any reasonable expence attending it. We sometimes talk of petitioning the legislature on the subject. Could you give us any assistance in the business, you would confer a great obligation on us who are so much interested in the conveyance of letters and small parcells.

It is, indeed, Sir as you observe an aweful crisis in which we live. What I think on the subject you will see in the Sermon to which I referred you. One extreme naturally produces another. But I flatter myself that since truth and right have a great advantage over their opposites, the present conflict of opinions, and of arms, will terminate in a better system than any that has hitherto prevailed. But the struggle I fear will be extensive and dreadful Happy they who, looking to an overruling providence, can calmly wait the issue, endeavouring to lessen prejudice and violence on all sides, and contribute what they can to enlighten the minds, and improve the morals of their fellow creatures.

With the greatest respect, I am, / Dear Sir, / yours sincerely