In response to the letter your excellency honored me with on 13 February, I see that Mr. Harras has abused my trust. However, I cannot believe that this was what the young man intended; even without the evidence of his recommendations he seemed a well-brought-up young fellow, well-behaved and eager to serve his country. I hope your excellency will kindly see that I am reimbursed for the cash advances I made with the sole purpose of helping an ally in a foreign country, but if you find my request unjustified please ignore it. It is not that I risk losing so considerable a sum, but the thought of asking something inconsistent with strict honesty that pains me.

Even before receiving your excellency's letter I had gone to much trouble to obtain news of the young American in question. I know, sir, who he is and how dear he is to you, and it was with that in mind that I sought after him in Lübeck as well as in this town, but so far my efforts have proved fruitless. I shall nonetheless pursue my inquiries and beg you to believe that it will be both my pleasure and my duty to keep you informed.1

Please accept the tribute of my gratitude for your kindness in forwarding to America the letter I had entrusted to Mr. Harras. May I take one final liberty and ask your excellency also to send on the letter I enclose? It will greatly oblige a trader of this town, now established in New Bern, who for some considerable time has been without news of the family that loves him. Please excuse the liberty I am taking and rest assured that I shall seize every possible opportunity to prove my gratitude and the profound respect with which I have the honor to be, sir, your excellency's very humble and very obedient servant