John Adams President of the United States of America Sir, With confidence I address you on the following subject — As the Chief Magistrate of a free and independent People; enclosed I send to you a Certificate for the delivery of David Gill a Deserter from the Service of the United States, for which Service by Act of Congress I am entitled to the Sum of Ten dollars which is not the object I only contend for this just claim being presented to the Accountant in the War Office, he contrary to Act of Congress has refused settlement with me on account of under Prejudice against me which on investigation can be made appear and too lengthy to mention in my address to you. I am for a free and independent Citizen of the United States by natural Birth and a well known friend to the Constitution and laws of my Country — and Sir to let it be in the power of any individual to attempt to wrest from me that justice which I am entitled to, is more than I am able to bear with, and it is not the first instance of M^r Simmons' conduct in his Office. I therefore call on you as Chief Magistrate of this Great Republic to compel M^r Simmons to do me this justice I am entitled to or otherwise displace him, and fill the vacancy with such a character as will know no more only in justice — You will see his answer on the back of the Certificate without any reason for not settling settling it. I say I am a Citizen of the United States and call on you to cause justice to be done to me as such — it is not the object of 10 Dollars, but I am entitled to justice and must pursue it and attain it in this free Country or otherwise lose my life on its pursuit. I hope Great Sir, that you will write to me in Carlisle Pennsylvania and inclose the Certificate to me with such instructions as you shall think fit. Rely on a friend and faithful Citizen [signed] Hugh M^c Alister. Phi^a August 24^th 1799. Barracks at Carlisle This is to certify that on the evening of the 28^th of November 1798, M^r Hugh M^c Allister did deliver to me at the Barracks, a Deserter from Cap^t Millers' Company, named David Gill about five feet seven inches in heighth, eighteen years of Age fair hair and complexion, grey eyes. — [signed] Callender Irvine Cap^t. 2^nd Reg^t. Art. & Eng^rs I do certify that the above described Deserter which proves to be David Gill of Cap^t Millers Company of Infantry was tried at Reading and found guilty of Desertion. [signed] Francis Gibson Lieu^t. 2^d Reg^t. Artillerists & Engineers.