Sir,

I was yesterday served with a resolve of Congress in consequence of a complaint by your Excellency with regard to my empressing men onboard the Frigate, and the Letter I wrote your Excellency on that occasion by which I find the Congress disapproved of my conduct, and order me to make such Satisfaction as shall be approved of by the Executive power of the State of Maryland It has never been my desire Sir, or Inclination to violate the Laws of my Country, or treat any of its Magistrates with Contempt, and am sorry to find the Letter I wrote you is viewed by your Excellency, by Congress, and many of my friends, to carry much more contempt and disrespect than I ever intended, 'tho I willingly confess, that when I came [ear]ly to review the Copy of the Letter, I disapproved of it myself, and would willingly recalled several sentences of it, and was very sorry I sent it. When I received your Letter, I imediately apprehended that some persons who wish not my wellfare, had been endeavoring by misrepresentation to prejudice me in your oppinion, and it gave me sensable pain to find they had so far succeeded as to induce your Excellency to charge me with Crimes which my conscience told me, I was not Guilty. I have never viewed it derogatory to the character of any Gentleman to make concessions for any rudeness he may have been guilty of to any private Gentleman, much less to the Executive powers of a state. And will therefore make your Excellency such acknowledgements, for such expressions which my Letter may have contained, as is consistant with my honor as a Gentleman and an Officer, And would therefore beg to know what satisfaction will be demanded or esteemed sufficient. I freely own it is not my desire at this time to be dismissed the service, and I hope you will believe me when I add, that my private Interest has not the least Weight in producing that desire, and that amongst the other motives the chief is a desire to profit my Country by Service, which I fondly think will be more effectually done by my continuing in the Ship then the appointment of a Stranger, as I am afraid my being dismissed, at this time and manner would produce the resignation of most of the Officers, and consequently delay her Sailing a long time, I am Sir [&c.]