I this morning received your Excellency’s Letter of the 18th Instant, requesting me to undertake as an Arbitrator between the Army and Mr Sands—Altho’ it will in some Measure interfere with my private Business, yet as the Public must be greatly interested in a speedy Determination of the Controversy, I cannot think of declining my Services on this Occasion, and will therefore comply with your Excellency’s Request.

A Court of Oyer and Terminer is to be held at this Place tomorrow and how long it will continue cannot now be ascertained; and as it will detain me here the whole of the Sitting I cannot engage to attend to the Business of the Arbitration earlier than the eighth of the next Month, in the mean Time I could wish to meet the Arbitrator nominated on the Part of the Contractors in order that we might fix on the third Person. I am most respectfully Your Excellency’s obedt Servt