Letter from Colonel Wentworth to General Washington

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Portsmouth, July 2, 1776.

SIR: I was honoured with your favour of 15th ultimo per post, enclosing resolves of the honourable Continental Congress, which fully answers the purpose of my request to Stephen Moylan, Esq˙, and shall pursue a mode consistent to the resolves. And as they point the line of duty, shall omit troubling your Excellency any further. I should not have been so pressing to Mr˙ Moylan had I been possessed of the Continental resolves previous to your Excellency' s favouring me with them.

I am informed the gentlemen that petitioned the Congress have not received any determination; nor do I suppose the former resolves will be counteracted to avail prejudicial to the captors.

The agents of your Excellency' s appointment to the westward of this port, I hear, are confirmed by the Continental Congress. I presume to solicit your Excellency' s recommendation for my confirmation, if you still think me worthy of that trust. I am the more induced to trouble your Excellency, as I was first honoured with your commission, and vainly attempt to assure you, sir, that my study shall be to merit the confidence of the continent; being, with respect, your Excellency' s most obedient and very humble servant,

JOSHUA WENTWORTH.

To His Excellency General Washington.