Harriet Hackley to Dolley Madison
| Mrs Madison | Farmville, Decbr 1 181[3] |
it is with extreme diffidence my dear Mad[am] that I venture to ask a favour of you, altho’ my acquaintance [with] your generous & humane disposition induces me to do so. to you I am already in great measure indebted for the support of my family, as your patronage keeps my Husband in a situation to earn a maintainance for them. my wishes at present are my dear Madam that you would speak to some person in my behalf, who will have my Husbands accounts brought before Congress; I have been (owing to [the] state of our affairs) very unfortunate in my last remittances from Spain, & I have a small sum due me by Government on Mr H[—s] account which is at present my only resource—the Bill was presented last Spring but there was no notice taken of it, & I fear amid the multiplicity of business it may be again over looked, unless I had some friend to bring it forward—in which case my family will actually suffer, before I obtain another supply from Cadiz.