In consequence of your letter of ye 18th. inst. directing me to enquire into ye truth of a certain statement made to you by a Sergt. Brinson, I called at Fort Jay and mentioning ye matter to Lieutenant Hancock I received from him ye inclosed letter which I imagine may prove satisfactory. I took care to admonish him of ye impropriety of addressing himself to you previous to an application to his commanding officer and justice refused him

I am with ye greatest respect your obt. servt.