having observed in a Philadelphia paper under date of the 24th. februy., that a Steward is wanted for the Presidents household; being much reduced in my circumstances, and considering myself well qualified for that business, have concluded that the birth might be worth my acceptance, which leads me to solicit your Excellencys recommendation in my behalf,1 for that purpose; hoping from your Excellencys known Candour, and benignity, that you will overlook any impropriety that may appear in this Application.

Your Excellency is doubtless acquainted with the origin of my family, being nearly related to the Averys at Boston; and were you as well informed of the sentiments which actuated my conduct in behalf of America during the late War, and the trouble which attended me in a British Government, in Consequence of the support Afforded to four Masters of American ships, in Accomplishing their escape in a boat down the Bay of Fundy, for which I was imprisoned, and indicted for treasonable Correspondence, and of which I believe Colo: Wadsworth from other representations, could give you some account, you would I am persuaded think that I meritted some favour from a Country I was taken from this state by my father at the settling of 6 Nova Scotia in the Year 1760. & returnd here in 1785. the welfare of which was ever the highest object of my wishes; notwithstanding its inhabitants captured from me during the war, in five vessels, the amount of Seven Thousand pounds Sterling, which has reduced me to such straits, that it is with the utmost difficulty that I can support a family, which in point of Amiableness, and respectability, (poverty only excepted) might vie with any in this state.

not to be further tedious, I will only assure your Excellency, that no part of my conduct shall ever Counteract any thing you may be pleased to say or do in my favour; Nevertheless my accepting of the place of Steward must depend upon the wages that is allowed, because if I cannot better my situation I must remain as I am, with the highest sentiments of esteem

Your Excellencys most respectfull / & very Obedt humble Servant

The Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court in obedience to the order of the Senate of the 14th: of Feb: last, beg leave to submit the following opinions in answer to their Questions.1

First “Whether a Bill or Resolve having passed both Branches of the Legislature, and being laid before the Governor for his approbation, less than Five days before the Recess of the General Court next preceeding the last Wednesday in May, and Five days before the period when the Constitution requires the General Court shall be dissolved, but not acted upon by him, has by the Constitution the Force of Law?”

If by “Recess” in this question is meant a Recess after a Prorogation, or a Recess after an Adjournment where there is no subsequent meeting of the same General Court on that adjournment, The Court are clearly of opinion that such Bill or Resolve by the Constitution hath not the Force of Law.

Secondly “Whether a Bill or Resolve having passed both Branches of the Legislature and being laid before the Governor for his approbation less than Five days before any Recess of the General Court, other than such as is stated in the preceeding question, and not acted upon by him, has by the Constitution the force of Law?[”]

If by the Term “Recess” in the second Question is intended a Recess upon an Adjournment, and such Bill or Resolve lays more than Five days before the Governor for his approbation, including the days of the Court’s sitting before the Adjournment, and so many days of the Court’s sitting upon such Adjournment as will make up the full Term of Five, without the Governor’s returning the same with his 8 reasons for not approving it; we conceive such Bill or Resolve hath the force of Law: For all the Days of the Court’s sitting, although an Adjournment intervenes, are but one Session: But where a Prorogation intervenes the Session is then ended, and a Bill or Resolve after the Session is ended, cannot acquire the force of Law.

All which is humbly submitted