Agreeable to your request, we now inform you that from the letters of his Excellency the Commander in Chief to you which have been shewn us by Capt. Jno. Finley that it is our opinion “we cannot with propriety be commanded by you until you have cleared yourself of the charges which have been exhibited against you & which are now depending.

At the same time we wish to assure you that we entertain the greatest respect for you, and was it not for the present situation of affairs there is not one of us but would wish to serve under you. We are Sir your most Obedt hum. Servts

Jno. Ward Lieut. 2d Pensylva regt

Jacob Springer Lt 7 Virga regt

Jacob Coleman Ens. Do

Jno. Mills Ensign Do

Jos. Winlock Ensign Do

Jno Gibson Col. Commandg Ft Pitt

Fredk Vernon Major 8th Pen. Regt

Uriah Springer Capt. 7th Virga regt

Bn Biggs Capt. 7th Do

Saml Brady Capt. 3 Pena regt

Wm Martin Capt. [Lt]

Lewis Thomas Lt 7th Virga regt

Jno. Harrison Lt 7th Do

Archibd Read Lt 8th Pensya regt

From the utmost necessity I take the liberty to trouble you with a state of circumstances in this district the most disagreeable that ever I have experienced and I beleive the most unmilitary that the American War has on our past been stained with.

Your Excellency has doubtless seen a petition and remonstrance from the Inhabitants and others of this place containing a number of charges against me, And you will probably recollect that the Honble the Congress directed the commander in Chief Hereupon to bring me to trial. In obedience to that order he was pleased to write me on the 5th of last May that this was the case, And, as I can conceive to prevent my unnecessarily being held in suspence, as to my command concludes in these words—"You will see the propriety of giving up the command to the Officer next in rank while this business is transacting. It will take off every objection that can be made against the validity of the depositions as having been taken under your influence as Commandant."

Mr Alexr Fowler was considered as the prosecutor, and yet he from a desire to injure my reputation, for reasons which will in the course of an investigation plainly appear insisted on as a right, he claimed of acting as Judge Advocate, as well as prosecutor, of the charges he had exhibited, with a view I suppose to procrastinate a business in which he must be conscious, he cannot succeed, and thereby to make my situation as disagreeable as possible.

I have hitherto endeavoured as much as possible to promote the service and to render this country essential service. But from what principles I know not the most iniquitous party [fauds] prevail even amongst men who ought to be military, as will appear by a declaration of which I take the liberty to enclose a copy. I sincerely wish that it may not proceed from the most unaccountable disaffection. For the Bearer Capt. Farrel who is a man of great veracity bravery and attachment, has assured me that Colo. Gibson of the 7th Virginian Regt who assumes the command here, has caused the keys of the military stores of which he has the Charge to be seized from his Clerk and ordered him under an arrest notwithstanding that he himself stands arrested. Capt. Farrel will relate to your Excelly the circumstances relative to this and other matters in the most candid manner.

I fear this contradiction of sentiment or whatever it may prove hereafter to be, will prevent an expedition, which was proposed to be carried against the Indian towns upon the Sandusky, from being carried into execution.

I beg your Excelly will be pleased to order a copy of this letter to be transmitted to his Excelly the Commander in Chief. I have the Honor to be with the most exalted respect Your Excellency’s most obt servt