Highlands Near West Point, June 27, 1782 3-page letter reading "Whether a man cannot possess the virtue of patriotism in such extreme as to be a vice in him; Or whether that Love of Country which prompts a person to her defence, and at the same time puts it out of his power to provide for those, whom Love, Inclination, and the most solemn contract have engaged him to support & defend, is justifiable or commendable, I leave to those who are possessed of my circumstances to determine.

At the commencement of this war, I entered the service of my Country in a military capacity, with a health and strength of body, if not with a capability of mind, which I am very confidence would have insured me in civil life a competent livelihood, beyond which, in my most ambitious movements, my views never extended. I soon after married and since have had an addition of two to my family. The sacrifice of youth, the only moments for pleasure, of health, the enduring summer serves winter's inclemency, the griping pangs of meagre poverty, are all offerings which I have made to Liberty! How far, and in what manner our services have been compensated you know, We do not complain, We know the embarrasements of the States, and look forward with pleasure, to that period when they will have it more in their power to reward our sufferings.

I have a small estate of about the value of L90 in Cumberland. I have an interest in the Mount Hope farm of 700 dollars. The public are indebted to me for wages 1000 dollars and from all these I cannot draw (tho I have no debts against me) a subsistence for a small family, by no means expensive. I have relations you know, who if their abilities to serve me were equal to their dispositions, would prevent my making application to a person almost a stranger. I have others of property, who could hear the mention of my wants without emotion, but it is to feeling hearts, hearts, who render sigh for sigh to every son and Daughter of distress that I appeal, those who ponder the various terms of Fortune.

I have said I have a family and am now obliged to make the most painful and mortifying declaration of all 'That that family is necessitated' and those necessities, in spite of my pride, in spite of the mortifications I always feel when constrained to ask a favor, have obliged me to apply to you.

If therefore you will on Mrs. Dexter's application or any person she may send deliver such articles from time to time as she may want, particularly tea, coffee, and sugar, you will lay me under obligations which nor time nor scarcely Death itself will be able to erase the remembrance of from my breast and I will moreover on my return to the State in the fall (from where I have been twelve months, which is in great measure the occasion of my present request) pay you the amount of your Account besides acknowledging how much." 14 x 9 1/4 in.