[Extract]

Honourable Gentlemen. I think it my duty to acquaint you that I have received a letter from Capt Isaiah Robinson Lt of the Hornet Capt [William] Stone dated off Annapolis desiring me to recommend him to your favour ー I know him to be a very honest sensible faithful man, it will be seen how he behaves in his present station ー He writes to me on another subject ー I shall give you his words ー "I have another request to make you about a matter that I am very anxious for vizt that you will please to Countenance my Brother in law Mr Burgess, he is come over at an unlucky time for himself as to what he Primarily intended, but as he is remarkable ingenious, and well versed in drawing, and in military matters he may be a very useful hand at this time, should there occur any thing in which he could be employed I'm confident his conduct would give satisfaction,["] so for as Capt Robinson ー and as to the gentleman in question Mr Burgess. I have seen him ー he is a sensible clever middle aged man from Ireland brought his wife & children and is now at Hagers Town his intention was for Fort Charles [Chartres) on the Ilionois in the view of a grant there where he has friends ー I believe he is both a sea and land officer ー perhaps of the marines he appears to me to be a man of great spirit & understanding and if he was to engage in the American service would be of use ー Capt Stull or some of the officers there might sound him ー but I would rather wish that the Honourable Council themselves were to examine him, I inclose a letter to him which may be forwarded or not ー as you Judge proper, ²