Balt: July 10^th 1796 Dear Sir M^r Stephen [undecipherable] has inform'd us of your Friendship towards him in the offer of an appointment in the [undecipherable] Country, provided he can produce the necessary Testimonials, to entitle him to it, and for that purpose he has requested us to write you respectfully here — he was born [undecipherable] in the neighbourhood of [undecipherable] & is related to our [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] some time in the family of their Brother M^r [undecipherable], but our personal knowledge of him is so slight, that our regard for him proceeds more from the pleasing reports we have heard of him than from our own knowledge of [undecipherable]. We have ever heard him spoken of as a Youth of good morals, decant deportment attentive and industrious in the service of his Employer, and we doubt not, but he can readily obtain such Testimonials of his abilities and Character from Gentleman of respectability in the Neighbourhood of [undecipherable] as will fully satisfy you on those heads. If from the recommendations which he may procure, you think him worthy of the appointment, we have every reason to believe his best endeavours will be exerted in the perfect discharge of his Duty and his gratitude be made manifest to you of for so important a favour so unexpectedly bestowed — His Parents are both Dead [undecipherable] but a small Estate for the maintenance and Support of five or Six Children, such as are grown up, are industrious [undecipherable], and more contribute to the support and Education of the younger ones. Therefore in granting this appointment you must feel the satisfaction of rewarding merit Aiding the Orphans and you will confer an Obligation of Friendship on us. Y'rs allery Pleas'd Serv.^t Thos. & Lam. Hollingsworth [D M: Henry Esq^r Sec^y of War Philad.^a]