[(Private)] Philadelphia December 4.^th 79² — My dear Sir, I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your private Letter of the 31^st of August. From the view we have at this distance the campaign appears to have been attended with the happiest effects; and the General appearance of preserving peace with all Europe; indeed the General prosperity of our Country, is [strikethrough: unrivalled] unrivalled by any period or nation. The difference between ryan & Major Gen^l. Wayne is considered as very unhappy and tarnishing in a degree the Military part of of our national reputation. Indeed my friend there is no information, no Complaint against you. By him that has been transmitted to this Office. In his public Letter he pays you merited applause; this has been circulated through the United States and Europe. Cannot therefore some mode be suggested to bury in oblivion all that is past and which (which indeed appears to me ........ to be more the Effect of nice feelings than any palpable cause? I am persuaded that such a Conciliation would be highly acceptable to the President of the united States for public Congratulations — He has no desire of protecting any individual from a proper inquiry — But the General Charges suggested are Considered by him as requiring Specification before they can be acted upon. The idea suggested in your public letter of the 30^th of June of appointing Major Gen^l. Scott the Commander of the Legion has never been entertained by the president or by me for a moment. Any Conversation I might have had with Lieut Smith to enquire relatively to dissentions in the Army, was surely not improper, especially as it was publicly known that dissentions existed. The president has ordered a Court of inquiry upon your request, provided you choose to avail yourself of it. — I regret exceedingly that your papers were not put in to my hands at an earlier period — The insurrection, & the preparations for Congress, were the causes, — you must rest assured that your Military reputation stands as well as you could desire, and no imputation of of any sort rests thereon. This is probably the last letter you will receive from me as Secretary of War — I am Constrained by a regard to the welfare of my family to attend to my private affairs and I am therefore about removing at least for the summer season to the district of Maine, about 200. Miles east of Boston, where on any where else I may chance to be I shall be happy most cordially to embrace you I am my dear Sir with sincere esteem and respect your Most Ob^d Serv^t. Js^hnol. Brigadr. Gen^l. Wilkinson