[Illegible Text. Some or all of the pages of this file are wholly or in part illegible. We have not been able either to locate a better copy of the document, or to enhance its legibility electronically.] West Point July 15 1784 To M^r Ellery Comp^d — Brig. Hazen [undecipherable] if and there is no actual necessity the recommendation of such an office as mine— There is not a day proper but I am obliged to always [strikethrough: travelling] a little [undecipherable] [undecipherable], and altho I take the utmost pains to investigate the truth, [strikethrough: and] consult gentlemen from whose abilities [strikethrough: and] knowledge I may reput assistance and may [bright?] officers [undecipherable], [in] [an] end in voluntary [strikethrough: your imitation] [strikethrough: prayer] to the [God] of Justice, yet am I found fault with and my conduct is thought too severe — among those who have gone away disatisfied is General Hazen whose character among the Officers of the Army is that of an artful persevering Man & an implacable enemy — It appears probable to me, that he will at Congress pretend as [friend?] for me and under that [make] endeavors to [ruin] my reputation, and I have heard that he is determined [strikethrough: ...]. His accounts being of a very intricate nature, one of my assistants [reminded?] them & sent the result to me while I was at Works, being unable that I could form no just judgment [strikethrough: ...] [strikethrough: ...] without [relieving] [respects] to be nameless. I did [leave] to him my [undecipherable] observations, with the view of found [necessary?] if found too subject to, [a] [undecipherable] where I [examined?] the [undecipherable] entirely [being] from my [release?] I found it necessary to make [undecipherable] considerable alterations and [deliverings?] to the [undecipherable] a new [clue?] of the account by way of [memorandum?] and [only?] [however?], I found it necessary to [secure] considerable information before I could well and certainly [the] balance— in this last investigation, I found many charges not supported by vouchers, others [compress?] to be allowed, [strikethrough: ...] considerable sums advanced to Officers for service who were suffered to leave Service without account [whereby] a loss would [infuse] issue, and I judged it ought to fall on him as it was his duty to see the public secured— and a large sum very [mentioned?] which from very good authority I had reason to believe had charges contained [strikethrough: ...] his [monies?] not paid, and consequently by [undecipherable] allowed and [strikethrough: ...] [undecipherable figures] It is incompatible with my engagements to the Person who gave me my information, to disclose how I come by it— but being convinced of its being true I acted in it, and have since that time [strikethrough: ...] is not to his Officers for proof from some of whom I have answers, [and] in the other I expect daily— I [enclose] to you in confidence, [copies] of what has yet been [delivered?] me, and also, a [certificate?] from the Gentlemen who first examined his accounts— These [sufficiently] shew the propriety of my requiring from him the fullest evidence before I allowed his demands, and will be of use should he proffer the same demand, to Congress. As I have not yet obtained the like evidence of many of his officers, which he may prevent should he know my design, it is my request that this information may be considered as confidential unless my character or the public good makes it necessary [strikethrough: they] to appear— I hope that while, my attention to my duty I am [sacrificing] my [health] and [almost everything?] [undecipherable] I shall [in] [your?] find a Friend, who will [promote?] my claim upon the public, & [that] that will also [be?] [undecipherable] to my duty — The Hon^ble M^r Ellery