[undecipherable] 3 Oct: 1797. To Secy. of State Near Downingtown 3 Oct: 1797. Dear Sir. I recd. this morning your letter dated the 30^th of Sept. Ult. I cannot say as being without the office records that St. Medard is or is not the person thought of for the surgeon to the Ship [Constitution?]. I rather incline however to believe he is not, & tho' be that as it may I should consider it safest for him not to give up a certainty for what is doubtful. No appointment of a surgeon will be made for some time. Herewith I now inclose — Mr. Oliver's recommendation of Yates for the [one?] [establishment?] — the reasons why [undecipherable] when I mentioned the subject to you — [undecipherable] from preventing the [undecipherable] I suggest to you I think that the recommendations of Yates are the [undecipherable] with this [undecipherable] the chief [counterpose?] to the [confidence?] in — set in Baltimore. I know his [appointment?] would gratify them. I have no doubt but that Yates is well qualified. Baltimore carries on [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] any other [undecipherable] on the [undecipherable] — As you have given [undecipherable] you have [undecipherable] sincerely.