Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16236, for James Reed, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn
Reed, James
S. 16236.
boarded
CONTENTS

Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of March 3rd 1836 from 4 th March 1836 to 3 rd July 1836 (inclusive) the day of his death. Age 40 - died 31. Jany 1839.
Ohio 19.750. Pittsburgh. James Reed of Trumbull in the State of Ohio who was a Private in the Penna. commanded by Captain Semple of the Regt commanded by Gen. Wayne in the Pennsylvania line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio - Pittsburgh at the rate of 8 12 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 th day of Sept 1833. and sent to Selden Haynes. Poland Trumbull Arrears to the 4 th of Sep 1833 $ 201.00 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 March 1834 40.00 $ 240.00
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832. Evans Clerk
Recorded by H. J. Evans Clerk Book E Vol. 8 Page 125

The state of Ohio Numbull county ss
On this Eighth
day of August September
one Thousand eight hundred and Thirty Six personally appeared before me Eli Baldwin one of the official Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in the County aforesaid - James Reed a resident of Boardman in the County of Numbull and state of Ohio aged Sixty Six Years who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following statements in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 - That he entered the service of the United States as a militia man from Chester County Pa in the fore part of the war of the rebellion for two months under Captain William Armstrong Col Montgomery commanded the regiment - That after the expiration of two months in the Year 1776 He joined the corps called the "flying camp" as volunteer for five months under Capt M Armstrong Col Bull commanding part of the time (as he believed) that about two weeks before the expiration of the five months he volunteered from Fort Lee to go with others to reinforce the garrison at Fort Washington arrived at Fort Washington on Thursday eve and on Saturday following the Fort was taken and he was made prisoner - taken to New York and detained thirteen weeks and three days part of which time was confined in the prison ships - was then discharged on parole and immediately enlisted as a soldier for three Years under Lieut John Heiles and joined the Company commanded by Captain Sample or Sample of the 10 th Pennsylvania Regiment under Col Wooley - General Wayne commanded the division - This applicant was in the battle of Brandywine - The division was afterwards

ordered to follow the rear guards of Cornwallis's army that when at a place called Pade on the Sancoastee road the americans were surprised and put to the bayonet and this applicant was left for dead with numerous bayonet wounds was afterwards found & taken to the sign of the Ship on the Sancoastee roads and continued weak and feeble till after the close of the war and wholly unable to rejoin the army & did not receive a regular discharge from the officer commanding —
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency in any State
Sworn to & Subscribed the day & time aforesaid — James his REED Eli Baldwin Associate Judge
The State of Ohio                      Brockton Township Sept 1832 Trumbull County ss. I Eli Baldwin Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in & for Trumbull County do declare that, from the above Statement I believe the above named applicant was a revolutionary Soldier and served as he states & I do further certify that by reason of bodily infirmities the said James Reed is in my opinion unable to attend at court to make his declaration in open Court and I further certify from my personal knowledge & his Quia et Creditur I believe him to be a man of truth and veracity Eli Baldwin Associate Judge

The State of Ohio Trumbull County ss I George Parsons Clerk of the Supreme Court of the Common Pleas within and for the County of Trum- bull in the State of Ohio aforesaid do hereby certify that Eli Balamir Esquire whose name in his own proper hand writing is affixed to the foregoing certificate & and was at the time of subscribing the same an ap- pointed Judge of the Court aforesaid duly Commissioned and sworn agreeably to the Laws of said State of Ohio In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office at Warren in said County this 22 nd day of September A.D. 1832. George Parsons Clerk
The State of Ohio Trumbull County ss May 22 nd 1833 We Elisha Whittelsey & William McCombs of the County aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Reed who has subscribed to the above declaration - that we believe him to be Seventy six Years of age, that he is residing & believed in the neighborhood, when he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in Chas opinion & we further declare that we believe him to be a man of truth & veracity - Sworn & subscribed this day & Year aforesaid George Parsons Clk Elisha Whittelsey William McCombs
The State of Ohio Trumbull County ss I George Parsons Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in for said County certify that Elisha Whittelsey & William McCombs who have signed the above certificate are residents of said County & are credible persons & that their statements are entitled to credit - George Parsons Clerk C.L.P.

The State of Ohio Tuscarora County ss
May 30 th A.D. 1833
On this day before me Eldon Hays a Justice of the Peace in & for said County personally appeared James Reed resident in County aged twenty seven Years and being sworn according to law oath on his oath make the following declaration in addition to his former declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
I was born in the County of Indiana in Indiana in the Year A.D. 1756. I have no record of my age at this time - In the Year 1774 came from Indiana to Philadelphia & from thence to Chester County Pennsylvania as stated in my former declaration - that after the close of the war I was carried back to Chester County Penn. & continued there till about thirty Years since when I came to Ohio in Tuscarora
County where I have resided ever since - I know of no one who can testify to my services - that I have been acquainted with the Hon. Elisha Whittelsey & William McCombs who from signed the foregoing certificate for more than twenty five Years.
Sworn & Subscribed
The day & Year above written
Eldon Hays Justice of the Peace
his James Reed mark
The State of Ohio Tuscarora Co. ss I Eldon Hays Justice of the Peace in & for said County do declare that after putting the several interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that I firmly believe that the said James Reed was a Soldier of the Revolution & served as he states - I further certify that there is at present no State Buzzman in this vicinity who could certify to his character & that the said Applicant is very infirm & unable to appear in Court to make his statement in open Court
Eldon Hays Justice of the Peace
The State of Ohio ss George Parsons Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County do hereby certify that William H. Adams Esq. whose signature in his own proper handwriting is affixed to the foregoing affidavit certificate was and was at the time of subscribing the same a Justice of the peace in and for said County duly commissioned and sworn agreeable to the Law.

County when I have resided ever since - I know of no one who can testify to my services - that I have been acquainted with the Hon Elisha Whittelsey & William McCombs who have signed the foregoing certificate for more than twenty five Years -
Sworn & Subscribed The day & Year above written Sedra Haines Justice of the Peace
his James G Reed mark
The State of Ohio Sumner Co p I Sedra Haines Justice of the Peace in & for said County do declare that after putting the several interrogatories prescribed by the War Department. That I firmly believe that the said James Reed was a Soldier of the Revolution & served as he states - I further certify that there is at present no State Congressman in this County who could certify to his character & that the said Applicant is very infirm & unable to appear in Court to make his Statement in open Court
Sedra Haines Justice of the Peace
The State of Ohio & George Parsons Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and for said County do hereby certify that Sedra Haines Esq. whose signature in his own proper handwriting is affixed to the foregoing affidavit certificate is and was at the time of subscribing the same a Justice of the peace in and for said County duly commissioned and sworn according to the laws of said State of Ohio and to whom official acts full faith and credit are and ought to be given. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of said Court at Warren this thirtieth day of June Anno Domini 1833 George Parsons Clerk
The State of Ohio Sumner County ss

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office, January 21 st , 1839.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838 entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," the Widow of James Reed, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Pittsburg, Penn; Agency, at the rate of eighty — Dollars and  Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June, 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March, 1836, to the 3 rd July, inclusive, 1836, the day of his death.
Respectfully, yours,
William H. Parris Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions, Present.

23379
Vance Reid Trumbull Co Ohio
Look on Pa Role
Not. —
Return p. —
Upon a re-examination Found an note to Reg Pen line
Adm 2 years $80.
Selvin Haynes agt Polanco Ohio Trumbull County

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office.
29. April 1833
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjunctive notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of James Reed Trumbull b? Ohio
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Enlisted 1776 2 Private Capt. Armstrong 76   Recd " " alms 7 19 Albany Col. Montgomery Chester Pa   Enlisted 1777 8 Capt. Col. Rude   Supposed 1 st Sub Cap Temple   10 th Pa. Reserves   Col. Hockly   Gen. Wayne  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers :
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time, he left the service ; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service ; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. (This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.)]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declarations; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
(a) The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
(b) The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
(c) The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
(d) The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
(e) Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the claimant and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about  three  or  four  months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the time, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
(f) The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
(g) The opinion of the Court is always required.
(h) The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
(i) The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
(j) In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
(k) The notes from (a) to (j) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note (j) applies to continental troops only.
(l) This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
(m) If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
(n) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Geo. B. Whiting

April 12, 1940.
Margaret Reed 323 Brush Creek Kansas City, Missouri
RA-J/ADY James Reed S.16236
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to James Reed, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
The data contained herein were obtained from the papers on file in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.16236, based upon the military service in that war of James Reed.
James Reed was born in County Antrim in Ireland, in 1756, day, month, and the names of his parents are not shown. In 1774, he went to Philadelphia, and then moved to Chester County, Pennsylvania.
While a resident of said county he enlisted in 1776, and served two months as private in Captain William Armstrong's Company, Colonel Montgomery's Pennsylvania Regiment. He re-enlisted, served in Captain W. Armstrong's Pennsylvania Company under Colonel Bull in the Flying Camp; was taken prisoner at Fort Washington, taken to New York, confined in the prison ships, and after thirteen weeks and three days he was discharged on parole; length of service five months. He immediately enlisted, served as private in Captain Sample's Company, Colonel Hubley's Tenth Pennsylvania Regiment; was in the battles of Brandywine and Paoli, where he received numerous bayonet wounds, nature of wounds not stated, he was left for dead, but afterwards found, and he remained weak and sick until after the close of the Revolutionary War when he was carried back to Chester County, Pennsylvania.
About 1802 he moved from Chester County, Pennsylvania, to Trumbull County, Ohio.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 8, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Boardman, Trumbull County, Ohio.
He died July 3, 1836, place not given, leaving his widow, her name and age are not shown. No reference was made to children and there are no further family data.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension and the name of person paid you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and cite the following data: "James Reed, Certificate No. 19780, issued September 13, 1833, rate $80.00 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, Ohio, Pittsburgh Agency".
Very truly yours
A. D. MILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

P 16236 INVALID.
April 4, 1903 - Hist Chas. S. Cook Canton Ohio
1920 April 12 Hist. to Margaret Reed. a. B. J.
File No. 16236
James Freed Prison War
Act: June 7" 92
Index: Vol. 1 , Page 313
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Kansas City, Missouri
Mar. 17-1940
The U.S. Pension Bureau, Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
We are trying to trace the Genealogy of James Reed - He applied for a pension in Sept. 8-1832 for service in Revolutionary War.
Was probably born in County Down, Ireland in 1756. died in Poland Ohio July 3-1836.
Would like to know when and with whom he came over here - where did he settle (probably in Delaware) whom did he marry, when and names of children, supposed to have had eight.
Who were his parents?
I shall be grateful if you will send me any information you have.
Sincerely,
Margaret Reed. 323 Brush Creek.

J. G. Edwards Esq. Commission of Customs Washington City

Potama Humbolt Co Ohio June 3 d 1833 J S Edwards Esqr
Sir
The applications of George Stump & James Rea are herewith returned with their addit al statements. Stump has procured the testimony of Adam Rupert who, as you will perceive from his deposition lived in the same house - The certificates were not added when the papers were first sent on - on the supposition that it was unnecessary in the case of the soldiers of the Regular army - You will perceive that the certificate of the Hon Mr Whittlesey & Mr McCombs is dated some time previous to Rea's second declaration & they were sworn by the Clerk of the Court - as an explanation of this I will state that when I received the application of Rea & Stump from the Department I was about leaving for home & took the papers along to examine them at leisure - while there in conversation with Mr Whittlesey he stated that he had long been acquainted with Mr Rea & would cheerfully testify in his behalf - This certificate was made in court & Rea's statements taken at his house on the day it bears date - he being unable to go out - Rea has evidences to satisfy any one who sees him that he has seen hard service somewhere - He is covered with scars evidently the marks of bayonet wounds - some of which have disfigured him very much - He is a man of piety & strictly & morally honest - but very poor & subsists principally upon the charities of his neighbors -

If the evidences now presented to the department are deemed sufficient - I sincerely hope he may receive a speedy return - for whatever his adopted country does for him to reward him for his sufferings must be done soon or the chance will come too late
Respectfully Your Obedient Friend Frederick Douglass