[William [undecipherable] Esq 22 July 1789] [XXIV-108 1789] [Wm Heth] Dear Sir Philad^a 22^d. July 1789 You may remember that— presuming upon the friendship which I flatter myself subsists between us— I took the liberty, when I last had the pleasure of seeing you, to mention a brother of mine— [undecipherable] to you, whom I wished, if in your power [undecipherable] with duty, to make some provision for in the Military line.— Delicate as such a subject, was [it] to be considered by me, & more especially, when a brother is the Subject of recommendation— Yet, I feel myself impelled [undecipherable] more, to mention him, & his history to you more particularly.— In May 1777, when he was little better than 14 yrs of age, I introduced him into the [Army] as a Cadet— And you will find him a [undecipherable] at the close of the War. [Was] General Woodford alive, or General Scott [in] the way, you would be presented with such accounts of the cool, undaunted bravery which he displayed during the siege of Charlestown, as would be unbecoming a brother mention. As a [underline: Soldier], he is pretty generally known. General Muhlenberg, & [Col.] Barber, are well acquainted with him.— Being one of eleven children, who have no expectations earthly from our father, he had not a Shilling to depend upon at the close of the War, but his [certificates] for pay & depreciation [undecipherable] from much [undecipherable].— These, his necessities soon obliged him to part with— he then went to the Western Country, [spent] a Summer or two, in exploring that part [of it, allotted] to the Virginia line, & in a trip to the [Shawanese] towns. From thence, he returned, on being appointed Cornet (in the room of Archer) to Capt. [Wallis's] Troop of Horse, raised by this State, on a recommendation of Congress. To equip himself for this appointment, it took every thing he could command, expecting as every body here did— that the corps was to be as permanent, as the Infantry posted on the Ohio— And the manner, in which that Corps was Disbanded, I need not recite to you— But, poor [undecipherable] was among those most distressed— for he had neither home, nor any [kind] of property to resort to, & found himself something in debt when, [undecipherable: little] as I could afford it— I was obliged to assist him.— To prevent his eating the bread of idleness & Dependence, I [undecipherable: some time] after obtained him, soon after his being thus disbanded— the office of midshipman to one of our armed Boats from which, he has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant— But as on the first of next month, the crews of these boats are to be discharged— the poor [underline: Soldier of] fortune will once more be thrown upon the world— And unless you, my dear General, can give him a birth in the Military line— in which he is particularly calculated to Shine— God knows what will become of him— and my life for him, he will never disgrace a military appointment.— When you reflect on the various motives which have induced me to this address— I trust, that you will readily [pardon] the liberty [I have] taken.— Wishing health and happiness to you, your amiable Lady & family I am, most respectfully, & affectionately yours [signature]