Annapolis 17th March 1775
(Copy)
Honble Sirs In hopes of your protection by my Conduct I must beg leave to trouble you with a more circumstantial account of my Situation Since my Elopement that you may form your judgment how I am to proceed hereafter, nor have I been in a Situation of doing it sooner, being mostly confined to my Bed since my Arrival here owing to the unhumane treatment I met with the 2d Instant the effects of which I dread feeling some time hereafter.
Having every relyance in the Justness of my cause I doubt not your Honors will exert your Authority by taking some method for my future protection nor is it ever possible I can return to my Station again without the utmost Hazard of my Life as I've frequent Information how the People are prejudiced against me only for exerting an Honest duty which I was obligated to perform. The Department of Surveyor of Sassafras & Bohemia was never intended to be executed only possessed by Gentlemen for years past who were always absent & looked upon as Signacures [Sinecures] but unfortunately I being the first Stationed there alarmed the People with such notions of Infringment that I was of ten engaged in abetting their mistaken notions. Not that the place is an object to Government but upon the whole Burthensome nor will it be ever possible where a Country is so divided for honest Men to Act without the Assistance of a Military force, as nothing dwells amongst us in the Shadow of Magistry notwithstanding the prodigious Counterband Trade carried on here between the two Provinces which they have enjoyed without Molestation a Centry past & should not other measures be adopted to prevent it rest assured Honble Sirs it will be ever claimed as their Birth right This I affirm by a watchful Observation ー My private Losses sustained by this Barbarous affair in Cloaths Money New Fuzee &ca may amount to about £20 Sterling exclusive of other Expences in coming here & Doctors attendance nor dare I return to get some Necessaries in dread of another Assault when Fled leaving every thing I possessed behind; Compassionatly I entreat your Honors benevolence that you wont see me a Sufferer as the Losses I sustained was in the execution of my Duty
From your Honors Candor you must Suppose my stay here at this Juncture attended with many Inconveniencies &ca I cannot be of Service to the State at present from the low State of my Health owing to the unhumanc Treatment I recieved I must entreat your Honors permition of returning to Europe for 2 years or till such times as the Temper of the People are abated that I may return with safty again & as I am unfortunately involved on my Department to about £60 Sterling I must beg your Honors indulgence to advance it on my pay that I may quit them more Honourable than they treated me which should I be unfortunately ordered to my Department again may make me meet with a more favourable reception
I rely on your Honors good officrs in endeavouring to bring the Delinquents to Justice as I trust my Conduct will meet with your approbation & that you will from the Narrative and the Collectors Letter take a favourable opportunity of representing me to the Treasury to whom I am going to Sollicit my removal [&c.]