Secy War

4 Decr. 1797

187-

War Office 4 Decr. 1797

Dear Sir.

I forwarded your letter to Mr. Wm. Hemsley whose son had gone to England previous to my receiving it, and who has no doubt waited upon you. The young gentleman is well qualified for this station you contemplated for him. His father is rich extremely respectable and esteemed.

My poor Indians are very clamorous for their medals, more so indeed than for their plows.

I have very lately seen a penny of the new British copper coinage, the edge or rim of which is considerably thicker that the plate part that contains the figures or devices. I should think were the Indian medals to be so formed, it would add to their strength without requiring any increase in the quantity of metal. It occurs also, should the work be still in a state to admit of alteration that one side of the medal might exhibit figures of a warlike nature, and the United States as protectrix of the Indians. I should wish in this case the legend to be Presidency John Adams 1797. The medal would then comprehend [undecipherable]

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both Presidencies.

I have written to Bird Savage & Bird for a book intitled “Rules & regulations for the forma[=] =tion, field exercise and movements of his majesty[’s] forces.” As this work has been printed and distri= =buted to the officers of the British army only, and is not to be purchased it may require a special application to obtain it from the war department If so, may I request you to procure it for me[.] I am engaged in digesting regulations for ou[r] army and stand in need of such lights as this compilation must afford. There is also an abridgement of the regulations which I shoul[d] like to possess.

I have also desired the Birds to send me two news-papers and to call upon you to name them. This is to intrude upon your time and good nature about a trifle; but as I do not know those papers some would denominate the Finne’s & Backe’s of London I hope you will excuse this liberty.

I have the pleasure to 189

inform you that you are a very great fa= =vorite at Annapolis & with the State of Maryland.

I am truly & sincerely D Sir

your obSr

James McHenry

Rufus King Sqr