Honourable Gentlemen

The regard I bear to the libertys of my country, prompts me, to wish for an employment under your derection, in a department in which I have aquired some kno[w]ledge, by experience. I mean the Naval service

I beg leave to observe, that the command of a fleet, has already been promised to me by Messrs [Stephen] Hopkins, [Peyton] Randolph, & J Rutledge. Indeed without such a command, I could not possibley act in the way I proposed to those Gentlemen, which way was approved of, by them. Nor was it disapproved of, after the alterations I made, by any, but Colonel [Richard] Gridley, whom I dont think infallible
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I think my inventions may be of much service to this Country. The fewer that kno[w]s them, the less probabillity, of our enemys kno[w]ing them, but if the Honourable Congress chuse, that a greater number of Gentlemen of there Body, should have an oppertunaty, of judgeing of them, I will discover the whole, to as many as the Honourable Congress, is pleased to apoint, provided the Gentlmen apointed, Come under the same obligation of secresy, that those Gentlemen, already in the secret have done

I beg leave to assure you Gentlemen, that a desire of revengeing the death of my dear Boy, who fell by the side of the Gallant Genl Montgomery,3 has a less share, in prompting me to this application to you, than a desire of defending & transmitting the libertys of this Country, unimpaired to posterity.

If your Honourable Body shall think fit to appoint me, to the Command of any part of the American Navy, when such an Officer is thought necessary, my every nerve, shall be exerted to an honourable & successfull discharge of my office ー

With real esteem, I am Honourable Gentlemen. [&c.]

[Philadelphia] March 12th 177.6