[Fort Island] Sunday Night, 10 O'Clock, Sir: ー 8th April, 1776.
This afternoon, at 4 o'Clock, I Rec'd a letter from Capt'n John Hambelton, desiring my Emmedeate attendance, with my Evidences, to atten a Corte of Inquirry in Regard to Capt'n [Alexander] Henderson and my self. I Emm~deately Repair'd to the Island, with the greatest part of the Lieut's in the fleet then down, and mensioned the Improperty of the day, Itts being the Sabeth, and Likewise Late. However, the Corte being Called with Great difficulty, I gott Liberty for an Equal number of Lieut's to sett on the said Corte, they Having appointed three, the Rest all Capt'ns. On proseiding to Buisness, itt wass Conducted not with the property that I have seen Shuch/Corts, my Evedances not a Quarter part being heard, and them Intemedated with feir of the. officers that must Command them hearafter. Minnuts was takeing of shuch matters as was servisable only to those Gentle'n as wants to tyrenise over the Lieut's in General. I, theirfore, Begg the favour that you'l pleas to Represent the affair to the Committy, that I may have a Hearing By them, or sum three or four that they may pleas to appoint, as I think myself Greatly abused and not able to attend heir, being much afflicted with the rumetis. I am, Sir [&c.]
John Webb.