The Bearer Colo. Hay wishing to be some way employed in the staff of the Army in which he may be of service to his Country & be able in some Measure to subsist his Family has solicited me to write to your Excellency to request that if any Thing should offer for which he may be qualified he might be favored with your Attention—I was exceedingly unwilling to trouble your Excellency with an Application of this Nature not only because I had some Doubt of the Propriety of it but because I am sensible the whole of your Time must be now employed in Matters of the most interesting and public Concern—Colo. Hays Zeal and Attachment to the Cause and the heavy Losses he has sustained by the War have however induced me to comply with this his Request. I am with the greatest Respect & Esteem Your Excellency’s Most Obedt servt