War Office New York June 2^d 1785 Dear Sir, I do myself the honor to address you on a most i[undecipherable] subject, and would apologize for my presumption in troubling you, but I am well assured you delight in acts of good[undecipherable] and wish to extend your usefulness as far as po[undecipherable]. 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 the choice of a secretary; which doubtless will be allot'd him, as to the other foreign ministers. — Though Congress will have the appointment of one, it is reasonable to suppose, they would pay great attention to any wish that Governor Livingston should express for a particular person. A long service in the army has been a powerful recommendation, in addition to family interest, of some gentle[undecipherable] and one now receiving appointments of this nature. A long service in the army; of which the most flattering testimonials, both from the commander in chief, and G[undecipherable] [undecipherable], can be produced, give me an equal, pretension to the confidence, and favor, of the supreme power of the [undecipherable] States; but in point of interest, I fall far short, unless it were possible to prevail on you, to entertain an opinion, that my abilities, might be sufficient to discharge the duties, of suc[undecipherable] an appointment, as on this point you should judge, rath[undecipherable] than myself; I will only dare to mention, that I read and speak french, and have long been accustomed to official d[undecipherable]. As it would be the first request, that Congress has ever been troubled with on my account; when I confess the ambition natur[undecipherable] to a mind, so long accustomed to a military profession, stimulated me to wish so honorable an employment, flattering myself it will be pleasing to you, to see my wish, and endeavours to give a line of life, that will not only enable me to support one; the best of women, in a manner, she has not only been born [undecipherable] [undecipherable], but which the kindness of her Mother, M^rs Cochran, gave her an education to enjoy; if you reflect on my wounds and services, are yet unrecompensed, than by a precarious depen[undecipherable] and if you can think me either fit for the employ, or deserv[undecipherable] of your notice, I flatter myself you will not injure me your [undecipherable] with Governor Livingston and Congress— I shall be happy to be honored with your opinion on this subject, I would have waited on you in person, but General Knox being absent, I must attend the duties of the War Office — M^rs Pemberton's and my best Respects to M^rs Boudinot, Compliments to Miss Pintard, and I beg you to believe I am With most perfect Respect Dear Sir Your Most Obed^t and very Humb^le Serv^t Robert Pemberton [Elias Boudinot Esq^re]