Sir

In Answer to Your very Extraordinary and unexpected Letter of Yesterday¹ which I believe had you given yourself a moment Reflection you would never have sign’d, But in Case You should continue in opinion of your present Sentiments, Those Gentlemen whom you threaten and have already charged my Charactor, shall in a full and clear Exposition of Facts be convinced that You have grossly misrepresented matters— The accounts Shall be Drawn out as You desire and had You settled the valuation of the Ship every thing would been closed before— How far you have conducted yourself agreeable to your Instructions I leave to your own Reflections, The Prize Goods You put voluntarily into my hands and desired me to purchase Merchandize for the amount of Your part to be sent up to Fort Pitt for Your benefit I have speculated accordingly; till I found your Departure from here was uncertain; The disatisfaction of Your Men and Officers, It cannot possibly be that I am the Cause off: I have furnished You with every thing You demanded and supported a number of Men at no small Expence, and at same time obliged to advance Heavy Sums of Money to Bateau Men and others to carry up the States Goods, and yet under those circumstances you are not ignorant of the large quantities forwarded far beyond the funds in my hands, which I have chearfully Run myself in debt for, and for which I am not afraid of being rewarded by My Masters The Hon^ble. Congress whom you make a pretence of laying your unsupportable Grievances before: In order to throw the Odiom upon me; as to the Governor² I believe he is displeased But whether at my Conduct or Your Military Manouvers he is the best Judge—

Before I conclude let me Councill you to be more cautious whom you trust as some how or other the Enemy is acquainted with all Your Proceedings I am sir [&c.]