Annapolis April 7^th 1796 Dear Sir, When I saw you at Philadelphia, You suggested the propriety of letting the State claim against you for final Settlement Certificates lay over to give you an opportunity of making application to the Legislature to empower an Arbitration, instead of this mode, I [strikethrough: propose that ——————————————————————————————————] Philip B. Key Esquires to try and ascertain the Amount of Damages; that you pay to me the Amount so ascertained by them, and that I Report to the General Assembly at their next Session the Mode and result of our Settlement, subject to their Confirmation, which I have not the least doubt of their doing, My Reason for Nominating the Gentlemen above Named, is that they are and will be Members of the Legislature, and will explain all Circumstances relative to the business — if you approve of this proposition it will be Necessary for you to write to those Gentlemen on the Subject, and I will lay the business fairly before them at May Term for their Adjustment, which will be the only time there will be an Opportunity of getting done by them in any reasonable time, I am Dear Sir with due respect, Your Ob't Ser't W^m Marbury, Agent for the State of Maryland [Address panel: Annapolis April 7, / The Hon^ble / James McHenry, Esquire, / Secretary of War, / Philadelphia]