[Rob^t Pemberton June 2^d 1785] War Office. New York. June 2^d. 1785. Dear Sir, I avow myself the honor to address you on a most important subject, and would apologize for my presumption in troubling you, but I am well assured you delight in acts of goodness and wish to extend your usefulness as far as possible. Yesterday his Excellency Governor Livingston; was elected in Congress, to succeed M^r John Adams at the court of the United Netherlands. Your acquaintance with this gentleman, might influence him, in his choice of a secretary; which doubtless is to attend him, as the other foreign ministers. — Though Congress will leave the appointment of one, it is reasonable to suppose, they would pay great attention to any wish his Honour Livingston should express for a particular person? A long service in the army has been express'd recommendation, in addition to family interest; [undecipherable] one of [undecipherable] appointments of this time. A long service in the army, of which the most [undecipherable] testimonials, both from the [undecipherable] in [undecipherable] chiefs, and by [undecipherable], would prove me an equal, [undecipherable] in to his confidence, and favor; of his supreme power of the States; but in point of interest, I shall be short, which it were [undecipherable] to prevail on you, to entertain an opinion, that no minister, might be sufficient to discharge the duties of such one of sentiment, as at this point you should live on, rather than myself; I will only dare to mention, that [undecipherable] and any of his friends, and have long been accustomed to official art. As it would be the first request, that Congress has ever been troubled with on my account, when I confess the ambition natural to a mind, so long accustomed to a military profession; stimulates me to wish so honorable an employment, flattering myself, it will be pleasing to you, to see my wish, and endeavors to gain a line of life, that will not only enable me to support one of the best of women, in a manner she has not only been born to expect, but which the kindness of her [undecipherable], M^rs Cochran gave her an education to enjoy. If you reflect on my accounts of service, and a correspondence [undecipherable] than by a precarious dependance if you can think me either fit for the employ, or deserving of your notice, I flatter myself you will not [withhold from] me your — inter[undecipherable: intercessions] with Governor Livingston and Congress —