I have been on the point of writing to you Several times, since I have been out of employ; but my delicacy prohibited me from troubeling you. I now do it with the utmost diffidence on my own part and with great deference to you. In my last I informed you of my keeping a small country School, which I had to relinquish for want of encouragement and that business was not congenial to my active disposition. I came to this City expecting something might turn up in my favour but in vain, and now, I know not which way to go, or how to turn, though I am suitable for any but a me[. . .]cal employ (excepting the Statuary Business which I learned in Europe) I inform you of my adverse situation in hopes your finer feelings may be exersised towards me or that the source of benevolence may but it in your heart to befriend me in my need. Whatever the result may be I hope you will at least pardon the liberty I have taken in troubling you with a recital of my misfortunes I am not above doing any thing for an honest living 300 Dollars per annum I would be glad to receive and would feel myself truly happy to serve you, or some of your friends, to whom if you would intimate your inclination to assist me, the work would be done!! The merchants I have done business for I continued with while they continued in Business & they then parted with me with reluctance; for my native disposition would lead me to go any lenth to serve a kind master. My poem has been warmly approbated by many, some of [. . . .] utmost to assist me but in vain. I have enclosed a copy of [. . . .] [. . . .]etential Tyrant” by which you may see the peculiarity of my misfortunes; however I feel a hope a more favourable train of want may succeed which would undoubtedly be the case were you to feel interested in my favour—

I can procure the best recommendations if required. I must now come to a conclusion again soliciting your gracious pardon for the liberty I have taken; I would not upon any consideration offend you willfully, but would consider it my greatest happiness to have it in my power to do you an essential favour.

With sentiments of respect & admiration I am Dear Sir your most obedient humble servant