Dear Sir,

Some Time past I wrote a few incorrect and jumbled Lines inclosing a Certificate from the Secretary of the Marine boar[d] of the Time of my Entrance, and asked the Favour of your giving an Order for the Ballance of my Wages; having received no Order, I must again renew my Request, and ask of you to send it by the first Oppertunity, the doing of which will confer on me a particular Obligation.

Sensible of the Mutiplicity of your Business I would not at present attempt it, but for the Desire of having my Accounts settled. The last Time I wrote, I was so hurried, that I could not avoid Inaccuracies & Blots, and even now I am ashamed to send this for the Inspection of one, who in every sense of the Word is an Adept in the English.

Customary Politeness will be thought the Origin of the Phrase (for I will not allow it a Compliment) , but a true Knowledge of your literary Character will support my Expression.

You will find Sir, subject Matter sufficient, to employ the Pen of a Critic, but as I profess nothing but Simplicity I cannot steer clear of an Error that I would wish to avoid.

Mr [John Peck] Rathbun will deliver you this if Sir you will give my Account to him to be forwarded, or forward it yourself, I shall be infinetely obliged to you. am Sir your's unalterably

John P Jones Esqr Boston By Lieut Rathbun

[Endorsed by Jones] Providence March 4th 1777 ー letter from Doctor Tillinghast recd Boston.