Henry Smithson requests funds to investigate a counterfeiting case

Honour,d Sr.           May ye 26th 1717

Here is com̄ited to this Goile one {illeg}h; Sager and a comon strumpet about the City and to wit an old offender that goes for his wife taken with divers Instruments (and False coyn,d) monney in their Custody I beleive I can obtaine a large discouery From them if I had money to bear them Company and to humor which I will {illeg} diligently pursue if you please to Lay ye Summe on me soe to do; I am Sr. yor poore destress,d Serut, to command from ye Kings ward in the Marshalsea        Henꝫ; Smithsonꝫ pray Sr. fauoring with yor Ansqr

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for Sr. Isack Newton att his House in St Martins           {illeg}           Street         LONDON