Now I have all the pages. Pages 1, 7, 8, 9, and 10 are illegible/black; page 6 is an "Other Copies" separator. The primary document spans pages 2–5. Here is the transcription: [James Ash / April 16^th 1800] [Albany APR postal stamp] FREE The Honorable         James McHenry                 Secretary at War                         Philadelphia Post. [Maryland Historical Society stamp] [Nov Co. R.]                        Baltimore 16. April 1800 Dear Sir                                                                    4. I would be very much obliged to you, to let me know have the use of your library, which I presume is still in Baltimore. It becomes more necessary than ever, to make a judicious disposition of my time, between Reading and Business. There was a curious circumstance, happened to me, about two years ago, in Baltimore County Court. The case in itself, being rather singular and unpreceden= =ted, I will tell it, [strikethrough: though] uninteresting, which I know it must be to you. I was making a motion, on behalf of a client (Henry Ridgely - W^m Winchester, and W^m Owings presided) when the Court told me to apply to M^r Martin. - I answered that I did not know M^r Martin in the Capacity of a Court; and that my motion came in a qualified shape before the Court. - The Court repeated again to apply to M^r Martin. I said "if motions, were to be made to M^r Martin, instead of the tribunal before whom I stood, that the Court was a mere cypher," which would be literally true on the admission of such a principle. - The clerk was then directed, to strike me my name from the list of attorneys of that court. I think the proceeding was contrary to all Law, that we practice under, in the State of Maryland, and I believe I shall be able to prove it so, before the next General Court, when I intend to apply for a Mandamus to reinstate me. At all events, taking from me, my only hope of industry, obliged me to apply to the last General Assembly for an act of assembly Insolvency, very contrary to my wishes. The injury fell not then on me alone, but extended to the Community in General, in consequence of Contracts variously entered - partly on my own account, and partly on account of my late Partner= =ship in Virginia; both of which would have been paid to the last Shilling, if this Court of Justice had not determined differently, by taking from me the only means of industry. The day after being struck off, I went to Court, to be Sworn to the Grand Jury - I was directed to apply to M^r Martin. I asked this worshipful [underline: trio] of Science and erudition, that if I wanted to pre= =sent M^r Martin, whether an application to him would be proper. I was then directed (because it could not be refused) to be sworn. I had not then, any inten= =tion to go to the Grand Jury, but I wished to shew the folly (if ignorance can be convinced) of the Conduct, in a delicate manner. For every Court is entitled to deli= =cacy and Respect, while thus Constituted, if it were a Court, Composed of Thorns. But there is something more, in this transaction, than impartial Justice. Some thing mixed perhaps with persecution, and a Desire to injure my professional Prospects, in Balti= =more, which must have been crowned with Success, (but for this blow, which I received from this vulgar hand) from the Slow but certain System, which I laid down, to Secure a lasting establishment. If there be, any way, by which I could be useful to you here, or at Fort M^cHenry (till I get my Busi= =ness settled with this Court) in Stating or forwar= =ding accounts, or any other way, Connected with Respectability, in consequence of the Works that are to be carried on this Summer at the Fort, with any adequate Reward for my trouble, I would gladly embrace it. Time is too valuable to be lost, what= =ever the Baltimore County Court may think. [undecipherable] [undecipherable] every hour in the day to be advanta[geously] [undecipherable: em]ployed. Be pleased to let me know, [if any]= =thing in this way, be practicable; and if no incon= =venience would arise, by having access to your Library. I am with great Respect, Sir, Y^r mo: ob: Hble: Ser^t James Ash