Mount Vernon, September 2, 1786.
Dr. Sir: If the Account I handed to you respecting the treatment of Captn. Asgill (in confinement) has not passed from you, I should be obliged to you for withholding, and suffering no copies to be taken from it; to counteract such an injurious and ill founded calumny which obtains credit as it rolls on.
I have it in contemplation to inspect my registers, and to give something from authentic documents relative to this matter. The former being drawn up in a hasty manner, and from memory, may contain something inconsistent with the latter, which will be substantiated. With great esteem etc. 4
[Note:From the "Letter Book" copy in the Washington Papers . ]