[XXIV-143 46] [2657] [Col. Parker] Petersburg Virg^a Aug^t 25. 1789 Sir the many obligations I am under to you I am [strikethrough: undecipherable] should keep me from again trou-bling you — but the readiness with which you ever afforded your assistance & advice, encourage me to hope you will pardon the liberty I take in again soliciting your patronage — The profession of a merchant which I have followed for near six years, though much more lucrative, is not so respectable & by no means so desirable as the one I was bred to under [undecipherable] command — indeed Sir, I feel myself totally unqualified for it — We have a report that a num-ber of troops are to be raised under Congress — should this be the case, your nomination will be sufficient to get anyone appointed — if you Sir should think one deserving, your influence in getting me such an appointment as you shall think [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] will ever be thought of with Gratitude by him who has the honour to be with the utmost respect y^r most Oblig'd Serv^t [signature: S. D. Parker] The Hon^ble General Knox