[Endorsement: 3 Aug. 1796 [undecipherable] Folger] Honorable James McHenry Esq. Secretary at War— Philadelphia [seal] Honored Sir Aux Cayes July 3^d 1796 With pleasure I have learned by the public papers that you have been Appointed Secretary at War, of the United States. — Give me leave Sir— to congratulate you on this Deserved [undecipherable: probable reading "Attestation"] of your Character and Repeated marks of the Confidence of the President of the United States — You are now Honored Sir, at the head of an Important department of State which your Patriotism experience and Ability will enable you to fill with honor to yourself and Insure the Approbation of your Country— the full and uninterrupted enjoyment of these Blessings none can with you more Sincerely than your humble Subscriber — I am now Residing at Aux Cayes the Capital of the South colony of St Domingo; the American agents that Occasionally reside here as well as the Masters of Vessels and Other Citizens of the United States that Arrive in this department experience much inconvenience for want of a Consul or some person as a Representative of the United States to Defend them from Impositions and Various Vexations that frequently Arrive— Therefore a considerable number of the Citizens of the United States that Reside here, and Other Transient persons have Requested that I would make Application to the United States, that a Consul might be Appointed for this department to Reside here — There being no person in any of the Departments of State by whom I had the Honor to be known but yourself — I therefore beg your excuse much Honored Sir for the liberty I have taken in making this Communication to you — and Should there be any Appointment