That I dare presume to address You and at the same Time to acquaint You that I am a Native of the Province Newyork have for the last three Years sail'd amongst the West India Islands in the Capac-518ity as Master of a Vessel (for which I have sufficient Papers to produce) untill my Health was impair'd with the Fever was then advis'd by the Doctors to seek a Northern Climate and having an advantageus offer to come Mate of a Ship from St Croix to Copenhagen. I embrac'd it where the Ship was sold. I there had Offers to go immediately Mate of another Ship to the West Indies but I must so engage as to return with the same Ship which did not suit Me. I then thought it best to come to Holland and took a Passage to Rotterdam where I have in the most uncommon Manner been [. . . .] into the Dutch Service when I had no other Intention than to return to my Native Country it has happend for me so well that I have met with a Captain of a Dutch Man of War Who has recommendd on the Admiral for the Capacity of a Masters Mate which Duty I now do but your Exellency can well think that unacquainted with the Language I can cut but a sorry Figure. The Intention of this Letter is to intreat of your Exellency if it may please you to endeavour for my Discharge. I have no other Wish than the Wellfare of my Native Country and here your Exeleny can well think let my Talents be ever so great from the Deficiency in the Language I am not likely to arrive at any Thing therefore intreat of your Exellency to interest Yourself in my behalf. I am ready and willing to engage in any Ship in my Countrys Service that your Exellency pleases and to undergo any Examination that your Exellency pleases to appoint so far as my Capacity is good and beg leave.

Your Letters of the 17th. June and 2d. of July have given me great pleasure, perhaps more because they were Unexpected. A Spirit of Jealousy founded on a long Intermission had made me suppose you had totally forgot me? and never Intended again to write a Single Line. I hope the reasons you give for so long silence are by the fine Air of the Hague, and by Exercise removed and that I shall again 519frequently hear from you in this way. One thing you may be Assured of that you cant write to a More sincere and determined Friend. I Like my New Allies the Dutch very well, and when my Imagination roves into futurity, and Speculates and Combines, I can suppose they may do us as much real service as some Others, and from Motives quite as disinterested, and I like the Alliance perhaps the better because it has been formed by an Independent Statesman, in spite of the false politics of his own Country, and the designing politics of others, and I trust he will be regarded even by the present Generation in spite of the rascally Venality or Envy of those who from their Exalted Stations have A greater oppy. of doing him Justice. But my Friend the divine Science of Politics is Composed of the same Materials here as in Europe. There is indeed something Exceedingly singular in your Country. None ever rose with more rapid Strides, or was more distinguished by its virtue and public spirit, and no Country ever Catched the Vices of Others and degenerated so fast. I will not prevent your Singing or laughing by Attempting A description or saying more on this Subject. I wish for Peace but what kind of one must we have had, if it had been made this Year. I wish to see you return to our Hills. I shall certainly take pleasure in roveing with you among the Partridges, Squirrels &c, and will even venture upon an Emulation with you which shall make his Hill shine the brightest, tho I believe I should fail in the Attempt. I Expect Notwithstanding all your great Engagement, and the great Game you have to Play, the Splendor of Courts and the Entertainments of Princes and Princesses that you will bring with you great Improvents in the delightful Science of Husbandry, do Ascertain what Marle is that we may know whether we have it here or not.1 I can tell you no News but what you will have more directly from other hands. They may tell you how our Constitution operates in practice how our Executive support their dignity, and how our Legislature preserve their Independence. I am quite a private Man a distant Spectator that sees but Little enough however to feel some disgust, detestation, and Contempt. The Papers will shew you in what manner Mr Temple is persecuted here, and his defence, this matter has formed Considerable Parties and I think Temple gains Ground fast.2 I need not Tell you, that your Family are well. You will undoubtedly hear from them by this Oppy.3