Philadelphia, 4^th July 1796 Dear Sir, You know that you will [undecipherable] have [undecipherable] a long time past been [undecipherable] with Gen. [undecipherable]. As it is possible that things between them, [undecipherable] by [undecipherable] as that the former may [undecipherable] [undecipherable] can he [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] without [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] in such [undecipherable] account [undecipherable] in the [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] on Pension [undecipherable] & these [undecipherable] [undecipherable] before me and are such ones as it may [undecipherable] a good [undecipherable] to consider the following questions Can the commander of the army be subjected to a court of enquiry with or without his consent? See act of War for the [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] administration of justice 25 & 26. Can the President as commander in chief of the Executive, order a court martial to try the commander of the army? See act of War §. 38. art. 11. If a commander cannot be brought before [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in the army, can [undecipherable] ways be taken to [undecipherable] him [undecipherable] to a military tribunal; [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] control of the President [undecipherable] in reach [undecipherable]? [undecipherable] a composition with a [undecipherable] is an impeachment. Or can he only be [undecipherable] by a nomination of a person to supersede him to the Senate and his appointment. — In[undecipherable] these questions, I beg you will bring this request to yourself. What you [undecipherable] do as it is to oblige me and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] person. [undecipherable] the result as soon as convenient. Yours sincerely James [undecipherable] [This photocopy remains the property of [undecipherable] of the Boston Public Library and [undecipherable] to be reproduced or incorporated in an institutional collection. Please return on completion of study.]