[Docket, left margin, rotated:] Baltimore June 16. 1798 — Henry Wells — offers himself as Surgeons Mate [Notation:] Lg A. B. [Postal notation:] Mail [Address:] A^t the [Hon.] Benjamin, [Stoddert?] Esq^r Secretary of the Navy — Philadelphia [Stamp: EA 19 JUN 1?] --- [NN — [undecipherable]] Baltimore 16^th. June 1798- Sir) Sometime in may, last I applied to the Secretary of war for an appointment, as a Surgeon's Mate in the Navy. the Secretary of War at that time having the appointments to make, I forwarded my Recommendations to him, but the appointments are I am Informed are to be made by. you, you will Sir, be so obliging as to Consider me as an applicant for a Commission as Surgeons Mate, if I succeed, I hope to acquit myself with Honor and Utility to the United States Rising Navy. I beg leave to Refer you to the Honorable Secretary of war & Col. Howard, whom I hope will Satisfy your Honors being at the Same time willing to Serve my Country, and not being as Capable of doing it in any way as in my Profession which I have been Prosecuting for five years with due Respect I Remain your most Obedient [undecipherable] I would also Refer your Honor to General [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the Honorable Benjamin [undecipherable] [Signed:] Henry Wells