Sometime [between illegible]ment to the walks of [private illegible] girl*, the body servant of Mrs Washington[,] absconded without the least pr[ovocation] and without our having [illegible sus]picion of such, her intention [illegible] whither she had gone.
At length, we learnt [illegible] got to Portsmouth in New H[ampshire; in] consequence of this information [illegible] authentic) I wrote to the Collect[or of the] Port, Mr Whipple requesting [illegible] use proper means to restore [her to her] Mistress. At first, according to [illegible] she appeared willing to return: [illegible] the Vessel in which she was to [illegible] about to sail, she concealed [illegible] one difficulty and delay [illegible]ther, so as to keep her Mistress [from illegible] Services until this time.
If, under this statement of [illegible] intention (as declared when here) of [illegible] Portsmouth, you could by any easy [illegible]self & proper means, be the [illegible] of recovering, & forwarding the [illegible] place, it would be a pleasing circumstance to your Aunt.
I do not however wish you to undertake anything, that may involve [illegible] unpleasant, or troublesome [illegible.] The girl, as we have been [illegible] was enticed away by a Frenchman, [illegible] her, she was willing to come back; but [illegible] other connexions, wan[illegible] conditions to her return, afterwards.
This I could not then, nor will [I] agree to; further than that, if she put[s me] to no unnecessary trouble and expence; [and] conduct[s] herself well for the time [illegible] she will escape punishment for the [illegible], & be treated according to her merit[s illegible]. To promise more, would be [an im]politic & dangerous precedent. Your Aunt unites with me in ⟨best wishes⟩ for you; and I am—Dear Sir Your obedt & Affecte Servant
Go: Washington
*She went by the name of Oney Judge.
