Under the act of the 5th of June 1794, for punishment of certain crimes, the ship "Union,"¹ which had been fitted as a privateer in James river, was arrested by due process of law, in consequence of special orders of President Washington to Henry Lee Governor of Virginia, the conduct of Mr David M. Randolph, Marshal of that district, was on that occasion approved of by Genl Washington, as signified by him in a letter to Governor Lee about the month of July or Augt 1794, and his thanks to the marshal were communicated to him accordingly by the Governor.

Mr Randolph is anxious to obtain copies of the correspondence between Genl W. & Governor Lee on that subject, in aid of an application which he is making for some employment under the General Govt.

Will you do me the favor to have the Copies made & forwarded to Mr Randolph at Richmond, in Virga. as soon as your convenience will permit? I have permitted Mr R. to search for those letters amongst those which you left behind, but he has not succeeded. I therefore conclude that you have them. I am with great respect & esteem your faithful & obt Servt