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Sir:

When the British were in Wilmington I obtained a Flag from Governor Martin to go there to negotiate some private business, but before I had got that length they had left it and gone down the River.

I applied to General Butler for leave to go after them to Brunswick which was immediately granted, but soon countermanded by General Rutherford who gave me a pass to go to Charlestown but that I did not choose to do without your Excellency’s permission.

Therefore I now beg leave to trouble you with the enclosed petition which I hope your Excellency will see reasonable to grant and in case your Excellency is pleased to grant the will of my petition let me humbly ask the favor of you to give me permission and protection to carry my property into this State by land or by water, which shall be found most convenient for me when in Charlestown.

In case I go I shall have a servant and two horses with me.

Inclosed I send for your perusal a double of the power of attorney left with my friends in Scotland for management of my affairs, likewise a double of my contract of marriage. By both these papers

and what is set forth in the petition, your Excellency will easily see and I hope consider my situation.

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