[Private] Trenton Sept^r 12. 1797. D^r Sir I duly received your letter of the mentioning Mr John Caldwell for the office of Treasurer of the Mint; and altho' you referred to me to say what appeared proper concerning him, I chose to forward your letter to the President, to the contents of which I with pleasure subscribed. The only circumstance that would excite any hesitation as to the fitness of the appointment— even his near connection with the [underline: Secretary of War], which might give rise to disagreeable remarks among the enemies of the Government— to excite the disapprobation of its friends. This circumstance a sense of duty led me to intimate for the President's consideration. But I had better give you all that I wrote concerning M^r Caldwell. It here follows. " Altho' M^r McHenry, on account of his connection with M^r John Caldwell (the brother of M^rs McHenry) did not think it proper directly to make known his wishes to you, yet all that he has written in his letter to me appears so correct, I thought it best to inclose it. M^r Caldwell is by profession a Lawyer: yet having some fortune he has very little engaged in practice. I have known him these ten years. He is a sensible, well-informed man, a decided federalist and supporter of our government, with a fair moral character. He has an increasing family. But with entire fitness for the office, perhaps the expediency of appointing the brother-in-law of the [underline: Secretary of War] may merit consideration." All this I hope will meet with your approbation, which the confidence and candour that ought to subsist between us have induced me frankly to lay before you. There are many other candidates, some of whom have revolutionary merit, for their services in the american war. I forward all their applications to the President, accompanied with remarks, where I have knowledge of the characters. My family is comfortably situated in this place. We moved in good time to save ourselves from the rage of the Philadelphia fever. The President highly approves the letter to Lynis. I ordered M^r Shumo to send you 30 copies, agreeably to your request. Truly yours T. Pickering [James M^c Henry Esq^r]