[docket: 1 Ml Army May the 15. 1797 / Js. Mc Henry] [postal seal] War office James McHenry Alexander Hamilton Eq attorney at Law New. York. Philadelphia 14^th May 1797. My dear H. I received your letter and papers. I added to them, but changed nothing for the train of ideas in both ran in the same channel and embraced the same objects. The speech extenuates nought — recommends proper measures — promises a fresh attempt at negotiation — and declares the principles by which administration mean to be governed, [strikethrough: that] in other words that the President will follow the principles of the late administration. It is not perhaps precisely such a speech as you would have written — a little too plain — It may however be better fitted on that account for the occasion. Your affectionate James McHenry [undecipherable: probable reading: → See his Report of this pencil]