I hope that I shall not trespass much upon your time, and I shall make my let[ter] as short as possible

Since my earliest days I have had a great desire [to obtain?] a Commission in the Army, this is not a mere fancy, [?] to immediate dissipation when it comes to . . . ality, [for you?] will recolect that I served twelve months [in that?] capacity [?] commissioned officer, and th[oug]h I [?] many there which would darken the ardor of a[no]ther, yet I find [?] my desire is greater than ever, as I have applied [?] friends here for their aid in obtaining ^for^ me the Commission [of Sec]ond Lieutenant, Mr Calhoun2 forwarded my recommendation to the Hon R. M. Young, nearly a month since

I hope to obtain your interference in my behalf, and if I succeed rest assured sir that it will never be forgotten by me, nor shall you ever have cause to repeat your influence in assisting me to obtain the appointment, I believe the application does not specify any particular corps– I should prefer the Riflem[en] . . . although I [?] be contented in the Inf[antry] . . .

In the hope that you . . .