Sir

I am very sorry to be under the necessity of troubling your Excellency again upon the subject of the late transaction between Admiral [Samuel] Graves and my self, being sensable how much your attention must be engrossed by subjects of greater moment and concern to the public, but consiquences that have resulted from that affair render it altogether unavoidable.

I must therefore beg leave to mention the insults that I have met with last night from Lieutenants Thomas, and Samuel Graves, Nephews to the Admiral, and to represent to your Excellency my present precarious situation. I have already taken the liberty to acquaint your Excellency that I had received two different challanges from Leiutenant Thomas Graves in consequence of what had passed between the Admiral and myself.

Having some business to transact late yesterday in the afternoon relative to the King's service in the Revenue department, at Rowes wharfe, I perceived that Mr Thomas Graves accompany'd by the Boatswain of His Majestys Ship Preston, with two or three other decently dressed persons, and Several Sailors had posted themselves in such a manner as to prevent my return, Mr Graves besides his Sword had a large bludgeon in his hand and some of the others had sticks ー As I approached towards them Mr Graves advanced Several paces, and desired to know why I had not met him in consiquence of the messages he had sent me, that he wished to speak with me on the same business, and desired me to retire with him to the next wharfe, Where the vessel laid which he now commands, I told him that having no dispute with him, I had nothing to say to him upon the subject of the controversy between the Admiral and me ー he then began to insult me with abusive language, I expostulated with him upon the impropriety of his Conduct in taking any part in that affair, intimating that I had been ill used by the Admiral, and that he was the only person I was answerable to, adding that the Admiral was fully able to do himself justice without the aid of any other person, and that I was greatly surprised to find him accompanyYd by so many people, with an apparent intent as I conceived to do me an injury ー After some farther altercation between us in the course of which I told him very freely my opinion of the part he had taken, ー and upon the master of the Custom house schooner, remonstrating with him upon his indecent and ungentleman like conduct, he thought proper to withdraw towards his Vessel with his adherents.

Returning into town in my way to Mr Barch's in company with Mr George Leonard, I was met in Cornhill near the bottom of School street, by Leiutenant Samuel Graves, who passed me with a lowering look, and without speaking or the appearance of an intention to do me mischief, came behind me, and struck me a violent blow on the back part of my head, with a bludgeon which he had in his hand ー the, blow for a time stunned me and deprived me of the power of an immediate reply ー I recovered soon, and found him drawing his Sword, and retreating as I advanced. Being unarmed, I reproached him with his cowardly behavour, and desired him to throw aside his Sword, asking him the cause of his ruffian treatment, ー he said it was because I had insulted the Commander in Chief of the Squadron. ー The high Sherriff and others coming up and interposing, ー we were parted, ー but not without an apparent disapprobation and indignation at his conduct by all the standers by, both military & civil, and this morning I received a Challange from him by a lieutenant of the Preston.

Your Excellency will now perceive the precarious situation and predicament in which I am involved by making a demand of my own property, for expostulating with Admiral Graves on his oppression, I received a blow for returning that blow, I have been way laid ー abused ー struck and challenged by his Nephews, and what is to follow, is yet to be discovered. I am not at liberty to suppose that a Gentleman of Admiral Graves high rank cou'd have any knowledge or participation in such mean and infamous attempts upon my life. If he shou'd feel himself injured from any thing that has passed between us he knows well how to do himself justice, at a proper Season, And I shou'd think that he must also feel and resent the outrage offered by others in his defence.

To your Excellency I appeal for the Justice of my cause, not doubting but you will take such measures, as may in their operation procure me ample reperation for the unmerited abuse and ill treatment I have received, and protection from any farther attacks from ruffians. I am Sir [&.]