[Copy] [undecipherable] [Private] June 26, 1796 Sir, [undecipherable] applied to me for his settlement — I found that from the opinion and advice of most of the [undecipherable] of Congress [undecipherable] [undecipherable] whither of which the enclosed is a copy, and I expressed no suspicion that this application had excited his resentment, until the [undecipherable] Instant I received a letter from [undecipherable] in the course of the [undecipherable] greatest [undecipherable] and insult — I took no other notice of his letter than to refer [undecipherable] on which he has since written [undecipherable] equally insolent and abusive letters. the whole correspondence between us, together with the letters which [undecipherable] passed between [undecipherable] myself, I [undecipherable] this may [be] laid before Congress [undecipherable] — my conduct towards him has been regulated by what I thought to be my duty nothing that he can say or do will cause me to swerve from that line — [undecipherable] I know your [undecipherable] to Congress that I think him entitled to his pay, and I believe that this will be granted, but I am doubtful [undecipherable]