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[This is page 2 of the letter:]

and after the Peace, was Secretary of the Union Insurance Company in this place, until they discontinued business, and divided their Stock, in consequence of heavy losses, and, that I am at present Book Keeper in the Office of the Bank of the United States established here.

But, for several reasons, I wish to exchange my Situation, one of which, is, the inadequacy of my compensation, it being until lately 700 D. and now 800 D. per annum, but the Office is extremely laborious: - I have, also, a wish in common with most other people to be promoted, and a great desire to reside at Washington; these reasons will, I hope, account satisfactorily to your Excellency for the present application.

I beg leave, also to observe, that I had hopes of being appointed Secy to the Commissioners under the 4th article of the treaty of Ghent, of which the Hon.ble Mr. Holmes was a Commissioner, but in consequence of an arrangement of all the Commissioners [?] that Treaty failed: -

That, in consequence of my wishes, the President and Cashier of the Office of the Bank of the U.S., recommended me to the Secretary of War, as a Clerk in that Department, when a number of new Clerks were authorised to be appointed in his Office, in the year 1818, and, that recommendation, is now on file in the War Department as I presume; but, in that application I failed also, those Clerks being all appointed before my application arrived at Washington.