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

since our last of 5 July, we are without any of your esteemed favors, we take now the Liberty to recall ourselves to your friendly 88 remembrance, and to make you the Compliments of the season, wishing you many happy years.1

You’ll be acquainted that Mr. Short effectuated thro’ our hands with Messrs: VSt. a Loan of 5 per C: of Six Mills. [. . .] & that he afterwards caused one to be made of 3 Mn. at 4 1/2 per C: at Antwerp, this Circumstance affected & displeased our money Lenders greatly, who furnished Loans when elsewere they could not be obtained, & expected that the U S should not borrow but in Holland, because the Credit can be better Supported than if a State borrows every where, when the extents of Loans cannot be ascertained so well, Mr Short authorised us in Nov: to open at Said Rate a Loan, but tho’ our money Lenders were much displeased at the measure of Antwerp & could in Justice pretend an equal intrest, we got the flattering hope of reducing the interest of 4 per C: & in consequence we did not propose the Loan but informed Mr. short of our Opinion, whch. by our Local knowledge we grounded, on the Rise of the English Stocks & the high Exche. by whch. we calculated many people would sell out, whch. should produce a considerable flux of money, whch. with some rembursm. of forcing Loans should reduce the intrest by raising the 5 per C: obligs. above par, as people should not be disposed to place money in france at the actual circumstances, but rather withdraw from it, the event has verified our opinions, & tho’ with great trouble to effectuate such a great reduction and to reconcile the indisposed spirits abt. the Antw: Loan, we have the pleasure with VSt. to have obtained a 3 Mn. Loan at 4 per ct whch. we flatter ourselves will be a pleasing intelligence to your governmt & prove our assiduity and Zeal for the intrest and confidence to our care.2

We hope however that no further Loans will be made on other places, whch. in times of Speed Might hinder a Success here, the more as our place can furnish any Sums Wanted, when properly managed, We hint this to you, that you’ll consider of it, as realy convenient to the Credit & intrest of the U S: but we are only free with you as a friend, and Speak not abt. the matter to you in your Quality, neither do we intend to blame Mr. Short, as he is Zealous for the intrest of his Principals, and that we are sure his direction is only motivated by a desire to Serve the State to his best Judgment; but as we are more proper to judge the Local Situation & the impressions it makes on the Money Lenders, we would not forbear to Submit it to your Judicious Reflection as our Friend. & in this aspect you’ll indulge our Liberty.

We beg Leave to offer our best Respects to your Lady and have the honor to be with great esteem / Sir / Your most Obedt. servants