January 4th 1863 cumberland county N C

Dear sir nowing that you have the power to clare
me from surving in this ware I write to you these
few lines to let you noe how I am situated I
have noe land nor property I am 48 years old in
Febuary next and has 4 litle children and My wife
which is vary weekly and if I have to goe to the wor
tha are forste to suffer for it is Just as Mutch as we
can doe to get some thing for them to eat and ware
as times is now My health is vary Bad i have not
Bin to say well in five year I have to labor under
Disease of the liver if you are please to exempt Me from
the wore I shall Be vary Mutch oblige to you and if
you wont I Must doe the Best I can and that will
Be Bad enough if you will discharge Me from the wor
you will please to send My discharge to Mont Rose
Cumberland county i would come and see you But
I have not the Means to come with Respectfully yours
adress Me at Mont Rose cumberland J.C.M. Justice
county NC please to let me hear from you