[Reverend Tim: Dwight enclosed in his Letter of July 26^th. Rec. July 23] Dear Sir, Let me present to you [a] charge against The United States. The [end] of my exhibiting it to you at pres[ent is to] avoid The act of expulsion. The [prec]ision of its form is — I know no[t w]hat [is the] proper one. If The dates are wron[g] you will be kind enough to rectify them; which you will be able to do by your [boo]ks. Let me beg The favor of you Sir, [as] far as your discretionary limits [al]low, to befriend me in The affair. The justice of The charge you will of [co]urse relate; The form [undecipherable] is uncouth; but this is the first concern of The kind I ever had, & am Therefore total- ly ignorant of The [undecipherable]. I should long since have acted in the matter; but saw not The least opening to hope for success. Nor have I more reason to hope it in The present instance. The Attempt is made merely to open The way for future attempts should this prove abortive. It is not a little hard to set by[,] five Officers, who did less duty than myself, in as much more agreeable [sit]uation of service, compensated with an allowance of depreciation, & commuta- tion, & to be allowed nothing. However com- [plai]nings are useless. With much esteem & affection, I am, for your obedient friend & servant, Timothy Dwight. [John Pierce Esq. [undecipherable] July] [Docket: Tim.^o Dwight / July 25. 1786 / No 18. 1[undecipherable]9 / of no Signification]