[To Sec. of State 3 Aug. 1796] Dear Sir. I like the contents of your letter to M^r. [undecipherable] in every thing except the absolute instruction [strikethrough: to those] [strikethrough: dispose] to refuse to [undecipherable: backed?] unless certain preliminaries be agreed to by the British commissioner. It would be better I think instead of the Executive at this stage of the business placing with [strikethrough: the commissioning] [strikethrough: the commissioner] the power to break up the arbitration, that he should be directed to report [on] the circumstances and [for] wait further instructions on the subject. I have inserted with a pencil words to that effect. I find with you and M^r. [undecipherable: Wolcott?], that it is necessary to inform from the object of the treaty and the principles of arbitration, that the third commissioner has no right to withhold his signature from the declaration that may be agreed to [undecipherable: signed?] by the other two. Yours [undecipherable: truly?], James McHenry 3 Aug. 1796 [Sec. of State]