[Cover/address leaf] [Endorsement: M^r. [undecipherable] / Office] James — McHenry Secretary of War Philadelphia [Filing notation: [undecipherable] — 15] My dear Sir Belefield May 7^th 1797 I did not receive your Letter of the 22^d ult^o untill last Evening, it having gone to an Office with which I have little Intercourse. A considerable Change of Sentiment has taken Place here towards the French. I wish it was universal throughout the United States, as I believe them to be a perfidious and abominable Nation, whose Object appears to be to lord it over the rest of the World; I Should be much gratified to hear of their being throughly drubbed, as it might possibly bring them to a Sense of Justice & Humanity. M^r Pickering's Letter & Phocion, if generally circulated, would do immense Good to this Country, as They are both excellent & masterly Performances. M^r Wright when I last Saw Him, told Me He would prefer a Place in [undecipherable] before all others. I will therefore thank You to [undecipherable] with Him. — I expect to be in Philadelphia on the 13^th — Punctuality may be important at this Meeting. If I shall not See M^r [undecipherable] before my Departure, I shall however make known to Him your various & pecuniary Wants — My best Respects to all Friends. — (Y^r Sincerely & affectionately [undecipherable] W. Hindman