To George Washington from Thomas Dawson, 31 July 1783

I have information given me your Excellency has at different times advertized for a Person properly Skill’d in the Art of Agriculture in order to bring the lands in your Dominions to the same degree of perfection as in England &c.

I now take the Liberty to Solicit your Excellency on the Business; I was Born in the Co. of Durham in the North of England where I was brot up in that line, I removed from thence into the South of England were I follow’d the same profession as a Farmer for several Years in the County of Essex where I was held in the highest Estimation; having engaged in a Farm of Land a mere Wilderness, which after a few years I brot to the highest perfection by proper Cultivation & Industry; when there I was engaged to leave thence by the Right Honable & Honable the Dublin Society in Ireland where I am now Employ’d & has been there three Last Years with the greatest Credit & Reputation, Yet I do not meet the Encouragement I expected when I first engaged with the Society, as I do not make much above one Hundred & Fifty Pounds per Ann.

If your excellency will allow me the proper Encouragement I expect my Abilities are deserving, I shou’d not have the least objections of serving you in America, if your excellency has yet occation for such Person, with the addition of Expences Over being paid. Your Answer on the Business with your Sentiments will confer a great favr on Your Excellency most Obedient & very Humble servant