Sir:
When the British abandoned Wilmington a Mr. Titley, who had been in copartnership with my late husband, Mr. Gordon, followed them and bore off with him all the books, notes, bonds & other Securities belonging to the Copartnership. By this means I have been deprived of collecting monies for the discharge of his just debts & the subsistence of my family. I can fall upon no expedient so effectual to obtain possession of them as to solicit him in person, and, therefore, I must request of you to grant me a flag & permission to go to Charlestown by water or land, when occasion shall offer, & to return as soon as I have transacted this business. May I further entreat your Excellency to grant me a security for the small property I shall leave until my return, the wreck of a considerable fortune and now a great part of the dependence of a most unfortunate Woman.