I have this morning received your Favor of the 22d which Immediately laid before his Excellency. He says before he can order a Court of Enquiry he must have somewhat to ground it upon, which can be Nothing but Charges regularly exhibited by Mr [Sleight], or whoever else have been your Accusors, because a Court cannot proceed upon what Mr [Sleight] may or may not have said, and which he may refuse to appear before a military Court to prove. you will therefore call upon Mr [Sleight] for a Copy of his intended Charges & know of him whether he will prosecute the matter before a military Court—If he will his Excellency will immediately order one—If he will not, & you can prove that he has circulated Reports injurious to your Character, your remedy is I think in civil Law. I go on a Presumption that [Sleight] is not in the Service, & that he cannot be compeld to appear by any Authority of the Commandr in Chief. I am very Sincerely yours &a