Gentn
My Duty to the United States Obliges me to take notice of the Conduct of the Officers Commanding at Fort Washington & Fort Sullivan; my particular Complaint is for not Shewing due Respect to the Continental Ship of War Raleigh namely, not Shewing any Colours, when She pass'd the Forts, but hailing several times in a very Insulting Manner, I ask'd them why they did not hoist their Colours, Instead of a proper Answer I was treated with Indecent & ungentlemanlike Expressions, such as I blush'd to hear. I must beg your Honours to make enquiry into this matter, & bring the Offenders to Justice equal to their Crime, as they are Answerable to you only for their Conduct2 — I hope you will not pass it Over as a light matter, but think the whole Continent Insulted by their Behaviour, Colo Whipple, Colo Langdon, Major Hackett & a number of Gentn from the Southward were on board — Messr John Furnald & Nahum Ward were in the Fort. —
l beg your Honours to Summon them and be govern'd by their Evidences in the matter. I am with due Respect Gentn [&c.]
NB This Complaint is more particularly against the Officers at Fort Washington —
On board the Raleigh
Aug: 14. 1777 —
