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[Penciled at top of page:] Vance

Plantation No 6 the 17th of March 1821 --

William King Esqr. Governor of the State of Maine

Sir Permit me to address a few lines to you on a subject which I should addressed you on last winter at Portland but from your ill state of health and hurry of business - I inquired of the Secretary of State what order the Governor and Council had taken relating to the old Magistrates whose Commissions had not expired and had some time yet to run whether they would be renewed or whether the Magistrate might be qualified anew and pay his five dollars

the Secretary told me that the Governor and Counsel [sic] had settled that point that no new Commissions would be given till the old ones had expired - I then thought it improper to trouble you Sir on the subject - but since I have returned home I am informed that Mr. Vose has brought on the Commissions of the pece [peace?] for members and that more Commissions have been given to some of the old Magistrates and Commissions of the Coroner given to those whose only merit we know was their Enmente [emnity?] to our own government and their friendship to the English however these are the men I should think that Mr. Vose and Mr. Burgess would first recommend --

Sir General John Balcom of Robins Town has been a steady and correct Magistrate almost six [?] years and tho he has been qualified and paid his five dollars on his old Commission yet his not so long or not longer than the Commissions of some of those that would not be qualified on the old Commission and try as they might. It would be gratifying to General Balcom and his friends [?] if your Excellency would be pleased to send General Balcom a Commission of the Coroner (as he is a Justice of the Sessions) and to no one more than to your Excellencys most obedient and humble servant --

Wm. Vance