Boston April 23^d 1789 To His Excellency The President of the United States Sir, In the freedom I use in addressing you, I shall rely on the friendship of General Knox, to offer such apology, as will emprove on your favorable reception of this Letter. the Occasion is to Solicit the appointment of the Collectors Ship for the Port of New Port Rhode Island — when that State shall come into the Federal Constitution and appearances indicate such an event not to be far distant — It will not be improper I presume to inform your Excellency: that I am a Native of this Country, much attachd to its interests, the roman amendment and resident, for many years at Rhode Island, who I should have remained untill this moment, had it not been seized by a British Force when I left it and since then my aversion from thence The trade has been so interrupted & much fallen that I have not as yet been induced to return — I shall leave my grounds to lay Claim to your kind Attention and your Goodness, and will beg leave to assure your Excellency that any confidence placed in me, will be fairly justified by a Steady Course of rectitude and integrity — with Profound Respect I am yr Excellencys mo^st Obed^t & H^ble Servant W^m M^cCray