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Merriam Belfast May 24th 1820

His excellency William King; Governor of the State of Maine --

Sir, I am about to take a liberty, which your well known liberality will undoubtedly[?] [?], in addressing[?] a line[?] to your attention; I have for several years been in mercantile business in this place, and at the close[?] of the war met with a large reduction of my property in consequence of the [?]ation of goods on my land, I have also experienced some other misfortune[?] not necessary to [?]. My family in large; some notice from you in the distribution[?] of the officer[s?] in this county would not be unacceptable to me and I hope not injurious[?] to the public. - I have had some experience in public business. I have officiated for many years as chairman of the selectmen in this place and hold that office at this time, I have been a the[?] [?]tative in the legislature of my [?] from this town and was also one of the delegates in the B[?] Convention; where I [?] no want of zeal in the cause.