[stamp] BALT’ AP· IO FREE Free James McHenry Esqr Secretary at War Philadelphia [partially obscured by seal] Free Mr Thomas McElderry to James McHenry Esq 11th April 1796 Montel Baltimore April 11th 1786 Dear Doctor I received your favour of ye 6th Mentioning Andw. Parks’s request to the President, [or Precedent] it is the first I have heard of his having such intentions As to his character and Sircumstance I will briefly state them to you, On the failure of his Father in the year 92 being rendered unable to to any thing for his son. I took him into Partnership and established him in Business at Fredericksburg and from what I have heard as well as from my own observation he has conducted himself in a verry proper manner and has gaind the esteem of the People generally, his engaging in Business for himself before he was Nineteen years of age, and conducting it with so much propriety and reputation, induces me to believe he will make a good Husband, much more promising than many of the Virginia Gentlemen with their large landed Estate and Negroes. He commenced Business in June 92 and in the 16th of September 92 I went to Fredricksburg and took an acct. of his goods when it appear’d he had Massd £1106..10.0 after paying all expences and verry little outstanding debts for his plan is to sell for ready money, since which he has been doing a good Business but I have been so engaged here that I could not spare time to take an acct. of his stock nor has it been done to my knowledge since so that I cannot ascertain exactly what he may be worth at this time You will perceive by what I have already done for Mr Parks my desire of serving him, whether the match contemplated may be a prudent one a prudent one for him I can not pretend to judge I advise you sincere I am not much a friend to great Parade or extravagant manner of Life if his connection would have that tendancy (which I hope not) it might not be so happy — He is to be here in a few days to lay in his spring supply of goods I know of no other engagement he has contemplation at present It will however give me great Pleasure if I can assist him further on his changing his state, it is probable the young Lady may have something also which could be beneficialy employed by him as I would not whish him to divide the Profit with me when his capital is equal to to Business by himself which I trust will soon be the case Mrs. McHenry is well I saw Mrs. & Mrs. McCurdy last evening he is astonishingly Monied — I will wait on Mrs. McHenry with a tender of my services. You got out of the scrape with Taylor in good time, the Brig (M Witman) that so much dependance was laid on is carried in by the British and his Post condemned because his is an Irishman, and Dr. Ross cannot be brought to a settlement, so that his affairs in state gloomy. Wishing you a little more leisure that you may be able to drop a line now and then to your assured Friend Thomas McElderry