[Cover] [The Hon. James McHenry Secretary of the department of War No. 122] [Kingston, New Jersey June Thomas Tingey recommending James Burns for a [undecipherable] attachment for the Navy] Kingston (New Jersey) 1^st June 1798 Sir With due reference and respect, I take the liberty of recommending to your notice the bearer M^r James Burns, as a person in my opinion, worthy the appointment to a second Lieutenancy in the rising Navy of the United States. M^r Burns in the novitiate of life had applied himself to the study of physic and surgery, and in the capacity appertaining thereto, engaged in the Ship Ganges under my command on a voyage to Madeira and the East Indies. — But while at Sea, the business of his profession was inadequate to the a[undecipherable] brisknesities of his mind, and he applied himself to the practice of seamanship and navigation, in which he became so far proficient by his assiduity; that I determined on a second voyage to employ him in the capacity of third Officer — and although I declined proceeding on another voyage in person, M^r Burns absolutely performed the voyage in that Station I allotted for him in the Ganges. I have no hesitation to declare my opinion that his sobriety and vigilant attention to the business will with little more experience, qualify him for the first employment in the maritime profession I am Sir most respectfully Your Obed^t Serv^t Tho: Tingey It may not be superfluous to observe that M^r Burns's knowledge of Navigation, is superior to that of many of the (otherwise) brightest men of our profession. The Hon:^ble James McHenry Secretary at War We do certify that M^r James Burns, acted on board our late Ship Ganges, under the Command of Thomas Tingey, bound to Bengal, in Capacity of Surgeon [undecipherable] and that on his 2^nd Voyage to Bengal he performed the Duty of third Officer under the Command of John Gwin. During both Voyages he conducted himself perfectly to our Satisfaction. Philad: June 2^nd 1798 Willings [undecipherable: Vharnes]