You will have a Visit from your old Friend Genl. Warren who supposed I could certify some Intentions of the former Congress greatly to his Advantage— Your Namesake has done it; but I found it impossible for me upon a strict Review of the Case. As you were absent part of the Time I think it my Duty to save you the Toil of searching those Journals wherein this Business is scattered. The Sketch inclosed will show you how Congress was obliged to turn & twist under the Difficulties of a depreciating Currency, and to use sometimes Expressions of meer Gloss;—as upon Augst: 4 & Octr 31 1788, in this present Concern.1

I am aware that the Genl. would think this Letter to be doubly not helping him; but I declare it proceeds from an honest Affection for your Honor, without the least Wish to hinder any fair Advances of his Interest. But really I am not free of Doubt whether Mr Gerry’s Regard for the Genl. and perhaps his individual Intention may not add a Testimony similar to your Namesake’s. This increased my Desire that you should see for yourself, in Case you are addressed upon the Subject. Otherwise, and, if you please, at all Events, let Lovell be out of Sight.

If Doctor Craigie should speak to you relative to a Peice of Justice due to me for which I shall furnish him with Vouchers, you will certainly aid him because it is Justice: But I hope the Secretary of the Treasury will find himself possessed of a discretionary Power similar to what resided in the old Board of Commissioners for the Renewal of destroyed Securities. This Goverment and all Individuals here renewed all Obligations which depended on Them. But the Board of Treasury of Congress have held me in Jeopardy for a Course of Years without condescending to even an Answer of any Sort since my Letter to them of January 1786—in which were inclosed all the Vouchers which the Nature of the Case would Admit and which had given the fullest Conviction here where the Robbery of my Iron Chest was committed, and the Criminals condemned and executed; except the State’s Evidence,—whose Testimony was uniform with the Confession, at times, of the two other Wretches, that “every Scrap of Paper was burnt, from Fears of Discovery, except copperplate Loan-Interest Certificates,[”] which the Wretches thought to be Bank Bills—good Plunder, not capable of being challenged by me or any one.

Time adds Strength to my Claim because No Resurrection of a Scrap has taken Place since Novr. 1784.

I am Sir / With highest Esteem / Your most humble Servant