[Address panel: James M^cHenry Esquire / War Office / Philadelphia] [Docket: Janry 19. 179[undecipherable] / Alex Hamilton] [Notation on wrapper: [undecipherable]] My Dear Sir This will probably be handed you by M^rs De Neuville widow of M^r De Neuville of Holland a Gentleman who embarked very zealously and very early in the cause of this country — was instrumental in promoting it and as I understand an object of persecution in consequence of it which [strikethrough: was] was a link in the chain of his pecuniary ruin — I think his widow has a strong claim upon the kindness of our country as far as general considerations will admit relief — and She has a particular claim upon any body's good will that of being a distressed & amiable woman. I ask for her your patronage & good offices from My D^r friend Y^rs truly A Hamilton Jan 19. 97 1797 [Verso: bleed-through text [undecipherable]] [Archival notation at bottom of verso: Anne Margaret de Neuville / Married John Stoughton Spaford [undecipherable] / [undecipherable: probable reading "Carried"] at Boston, Nov 11. 1799 / (Vital Records Cambridge Mass) / Vol 2. p. 145] [Stamp: FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY]