Fairfax County, Gunston-Hall, Septemr. 3d. 1781.
A young Gentleman (Mr. David Constable) a Native of Scotland, from the College of Aberdeen, has lived in my Family since the Year 1774, as a Tutor to my Children, during which Time he has supported a very good character, & his Behaviour has been unexceptionable, in every Instance, but refusing the Oath of Allegiance to the Commonwealth; which he told me, at the Time, he was induced to do from some Expectations he had from his Friends in the British West-Indies; where he intended to settle after the Expiration of his Engagements in my Family. He has an elder Brother who has lived many Years in the Island of St. Christopher's; where he has had the Management of some Estates belonging to Gentlemen residing in Great-Britain, and has acquired considerable Property: from this Brother Mr. Constable has very lately received a Letter, informing him that he shou'd return to Britain the Beginning of next Winter to repair a Constitution injured by long Residence in a warm Climate, pressing him to come to St. Christopher's immediately, and promising, if he arrived while he remained there, to give him an Estate he has in the Island, and put all his Agencys into his Hands. This is so much beyond any thing Mr. Constable can expect in Virginia or may ever meet with hereafter, that out of Friendship to a Man who has lived so many Years in my Family, & behaved so well in it, I wish him enabled to avail himself of it; and for that Purpose must entreat Your Excellency to grant him a Passport or Permit, to go with a Flag to Lord Cornwallis's Army, from whence he may readily obtain a Passage to the West-Indies; and his speedy Arrival there being of the utmost Importance to him, you will oblige me exceedingly in transmitting me such a Passport by the next Post.
This Favour I flatter myself will be granted, as an Act of the last Session of Assembly invests the Governor & Council with such a Power, as Mr. Constable's Detention here wou'd materially injure him as an Individual, without the smallest Benefit to the American Cause, & as it is not in his Power to give any useful Intelligence to the Enemy, or if it was, I know him to be a Man of more Honour than to abuse any Indulgence you shall be pleased to grant him, and can venture to engage for his conduct.
I am, with the greatest Esteem and Respect Sir, Your most obdt. Hble. Sert.
If Mr. Constable is permitted to go by Water, it will enable him to carry his Books, & other Effects; which he cou'd not well carry by Land.