[Docket:] 8 ber 1797 Charles Caudly Hamilton. [Address:] Cap[t.] [undecipherable] 3 [T]he James M. Henry Secretary at War [undecipherable] Philad.a Favored by Col. [undecipherable] Wilkinson — Annapolis 8^th Octo. 1797 D.^r Sir This letter will be handed to you by M.^r Joseph W. Wilkinson, the Son of Col. Wilkinson of Calvert County. Col. W. Wilkinson his father, wishes the young man to go in to the army, and thro' a friend has requested me to write to you in behalf of his son — If you find the young man of Suitable disposition for the army, an opening, should it present itself, I make no doubt you will do all in your power to befriend him — This day general Floyd was chosen a Senator of the United States in the room of M.^r Henry, by a majority of one [on a second ballot interlined] vote — M. W. Winder & M. Seney were in nomination. On the 1^st ballot Seney had 20, or 22 votes, forget which. M.^r Winder 26, & Floyd 40. not being a majority of votes, all the attending Members of the Legislature, made a second ballot necessary. On the 2^d ballot, M.^r Seney's name being withdrawn, Gen. Floyd had 45 votes, and M.^r Winder 44. — What news from Europe? how will the embassy to France terminate? have you any late intelligence from our [undecipherable] Plenipotentiaries? What is the opinion at the Seat of government respecting the final issue of the negociation? But I suppose I am as left to conjecture as we are also, but you may have more data on which to form an opinion, or conjecture than we have. we have been sitting some weeks & have done nothing as yet of moment, but choosing a Senator well affected to the Government. — I am with respect & regard D.^r Sir Y.^r most hum. Serv. Ch. Caud[undecipherable] Hamilton [seal]