[Copy] Copy of a Letter from Lieut. Col. [undecipherable] to the Hon. the Samuel Dexter Secretary of War: Fort Johnson 12^th September 1800. Sir I beg, Sir, your indulgence to instruct to you a claim I have against the U.S. which I am apprehensive I may lose unless you should be pleased to assist me. The Act passed the [undecipherable] April 1796 for the relief of the refugees from the british provinces of Canada and Nova Scotia, limits the period for making claims under this Act to two years from the passing of the same. Within that time I have been so much occupied in public business that this circumstance has escaped my attention, and I have been removed from that part of the U.S. where the testimonies were to be procured in my favor. Permit me, Sir, to state to you upon what grounds I solicit the benefit of this Act. In 1775 my father resided in the city of Quebec, and was largely concerned in the mercantile business; I lived with him in the capacity of an apprentice, and he had promised me, that when I should become of age, he would take me into partnership. As my [undecipherable] to his country, he was [undecipherable] upon the requisition of the Governor, to bear Arms in defense of the City, which was then invested by General Arnold; in consequence of this refusal he was turned out, and ordered to leave the District. He halted at Three Rivers, left me there, and went that winter into New England; [undecipherable] the Americans from [undecipherable] and possession of Three Rivers; On this occasion [marginal notation: n° [undecipherable]: 1800] I rendered them essential services, as there were not any among them who could speak the language of the country. General Wooster was so much pleased with my disposition to be useful, that he offered me an appointment in the Army; but being then a minor, and my father absent, I could not accept it; However, I served as commissionary of provision and French interpreter to the garrison. When General Thomas was obliged to retire from before Quebec, in May 1776, I was ordered by my father to leave the country; he had serious apprehensions for my safety, as I had become extremely obnoxious to the British government from the zeal I had shown to assist my countrymen. Under these circumstances I left Canada, and sacrificed forever the prospect of establishing myself in a profitable business with my father. I entered the Army soon after, and have been almost all the time since in the public service, either in the military or civil departments of the government. I need not mention, Sir, to you, that fortunes are not to be accumulated in the public service. In July 1790, I received from the State of New York patents for one thousand acres of Land in that State, being a donation made to me as a refugee from Canada. The value of this Land could not have been great at the time, but by the 4^th Section of the aforesaid Act, [undecipherable] be taken into consideration. I have the Honor to be &c.