Dear Sir. L. Island Jany. 30th. 1794
Was it not that I place the greatest Reliance on your good Nature I should not presume to address you on the Subject of Collectors again. But as it happens that so many applications are made to me for Letters to you, & at my own retired abode, when the Rights of Hospitality make it painfull to refuse anything, especially when the Request is only to conform to the Dictates of Truth. I hope you will pardon me for this. Mr. Alexr. Stewart feels a Desire to offer his Services as a Collector of Arrears due to the Country, & desires me to inform you of what I know relative to his Fitness. I can truly say of him that I believe him to be a worthy young Gent.—that he is in great Esteem as such. He is a Lawyer well thought of & a man of probity. With these qualifications & also from an acquaintance with him, I have no Doubt of his making a good Collector of the Taxes.
I address this to you my dear Sir as a private Letter to be mentioned in such manner as your Goodness may suggest as most proper—being sensible that in the Official Addresses from me on this Subject I have already taken upon myself as much consideration from the Executive, or perhaps more than I ought to have done
With great Truth, I am dear Sir Your most obedient Servant
P. Henry
[Address on outside]
Private His Excellency Henry Lee Govr. of Virginia
[File note]
P. Henry 30 January/94 --- NOTES: Transcription and Images courtesy of Patrick Henry's Red Hill