Hon. Ja^s McHenry Near the Falls of Schuylkill Secretary of War. Saturday Evening Sept 16^th 1797 — Sir I have received two letters from H. John McHenry of the 14^th & 15^th Inst. informing of your indisposition which I sincerely regret, and trust that you may soon be restored, and that when the existing calamity of our City ceases that I shall again have the pleasure to see you in perfect health, in the mean time be assured that I shall not only attend to the duties of my Office, but that I shall pay every attention to the calls on the department, and take care to inform you of every thing that I think will require your particular notice, I stay myself at the Office with part of my Family and have got all my Clerks with one excepting one remains in Town to answer the applications at [undecipherable] so that the business goes on as usual — the two [undecipherable] Jones of your Office live within a few miles of [undecipherable] and attend daily, they answer all ordinary letters addressed to you which I frank. The Treasurer pays all Warrants drawn ballances certified by me, subject to the obtaining [undecipherable] mature when you return — Doc. Gillappy was at [undecipherable] to day from on board the Frigate where he has been to the attendance of the sick ever since the Vessel [undecipherable] out in the stream, he looks very unwell, owing [undecipherable] the great fatigue he has undergone night & day hav[undecipherable] to act both as Doctor and nurse not being able to get [undecipherable] attendants for the sick, he complains very much at a Mate not being appointed to give him assistance, he say[undecipherable] more necessary as his health is much impaired an[undecipherable] four persons were sent from on board the Frigate to [undecipherable] were taken sick with symptoms of the Yellow Fever — Lieut. McKea is getting better — I flatter myself [undecipherable] my writing these particulars will not be unpleasing [undecipherable] when I assure you of my best wishes and that I am much respect — Dear Sir &c. W^m Simmons