Cincinnati 22^d May 1798 Dear Sir The [Nicholson?] [undecipherable] probably [h]aving invited you of my [undecipherable] reminded to [enter?] the [undecipherable] I have signified his Wish that I [do not?] accept in case the Appointment was made for me. You know enough of my respects for M^r [undecipherable] I [think?] [he is] very much in- [fluenced?] by his kinds to ours — upon the present Occasion — [so?] Things [c]ertain[ly] [vary?] very in health this [s]eason, my reluctance to my expected movement for you know there is [a] desire to [end?] them [warmth?] — have [expected?] my Better the[y?] [t]runk in [waiting?] for the W[ar?] [i]s the[se?] matters there I have indeed been [suffering?] — I [regret?] I did not take the M[a]rquee which I might have had [undecipherable] I can have no doubt you have been [in?] the same long since — you have not [undecipherable] my [undecipherable] in however — be my friend make me a statement of my affairs soon — "[T]here is the necessary I take a lock of good Cherry — [and?] thin[k?] [m]y [madam?] [undecipherable] me, if you can [not?] send them in season they must follow by any Berry there and as [safe?] conveyance — my health and the c[ir]- cumstances will particularly require them — my sincere respects to M^rs H yours sincerely W[undecipherable] [undecipherable] go to the H[undecipherable] I pray you to make Arrangements [t]o the[se?] Letters for and from me may have Facility in the Secretary's Office and [undecipherable] my list[en?] there — [Cover leaf annotations:] [Left margin:] [undecipherable] / affairs / 9[undecipherable] [Address panel:] Lawrence [Rodgers?] / [Michael?] Tel[undecipherable] / Philadelphia [Endorsement, top right:] Colonel M[undecipherable] — / June — 29 — H[undecipherable] / W.D. O[undecipherable]