[Bezaleel Howe / 19 August 1798] New York 19^th of August [17]98 I had the honour to Serve in the American [undecipherable] from the 20^th of April '75- to the Cloe of the war- and when the Militia of this [undecipherable] was organised- after the peace- I commanded a Company of Infantry; for three years- in this City - in March '91- I received an an appointment in the western army Commanded by Gen^l Sinclare- and continued in that Service till the 17 of October '96- when the Legion was formed, by order of Congress, into fore Regements- deranging a Battalion, of officers from each- Sub Legion- I fell in this derangement as a Juniour Major- I have offer'd my self as a Candidate for an appointment in the army that is now Contemplated to be rais'd- I have aske the influence of no one, but M^r Abial- hoster of New Hampshire- I would have aske the influence, of James [undecipherable] Esq^s, of the [undecipherable] but he left Philadelphia before I thought of it- I have Hitherto made dependance on my own reputation, to Secure me the appointment. [undecipherable] but The numerous Applications that are lodge at the war Office for appointments- so powerfully Superted by men of respectability, makes me Suspicious that I stand on unsafte Ground-- I have therefore [undecipherable] that my Situation to you- and to Solicit your influence in my behalf- as the Secretary of war Enterd on the duties of that Office about the time that I was deranged from the Service- and I am perfectly unknown to the President- if I should not be mentioned by sum influential men I fear I may be forgotten in the appointments--- I am Sensable that my private Military or Political Caracter has not come under your Notice- which to me- I consider a Misfortune- were it his not [undecipherable] me from my solicitations- The 15 years- [undecipherable] Service- has given me [undecipherable] of discipline- I am fully [undecipherable] of the Duties required, to [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] Soldier- if I Should not preform those [undecipherable] I ought to be disgras'd and turnd out of Service- I have thus far thrue life- ben so fortunate as to Scape Sensor- from Every- [undecipherable] officer under whome I have Serv'd- which has indused me to make sum Blame to your attention an it is my with to be serviceable to my country, in a profession that has ben the principal Study of my life- [strikethrough: and] the [undecipherable: probably principal] I have imbibd- has proved hostile, to every other employment I have attempted. I have to ad that when I was in the Militia in this city -I am- almost, Sure) that I [undecipherable] rank of all the present Colonels- & Colo Swartout was my Lieutenant-- altho in actual Service- I have not ben fortunate as to rank-- Should I be thought worthy- by you- I may obtain Sum amends, fo my former- hard fortune- in expectation of an appointment I have attempted no business- the present year-- I need not tell you that, I Should be mortifici to meet a Dissapointment- If I obtain my wishes through your influence it will place me under your immediate Notice- and I beg you to believe that it will be my Study not only to merrit your approbation- but the approbation of all officers of Experience in the army. I have the Honour to be - with Sentiments of EsTeem your obedien^tly Humble Servant: Maj^r Gen^l Hamilton Bezaleel Howe late a Major. New york- in the 1^st Sub Legion in the Army of the United States