[Address panel: To 26 June 1798 Geo Washington] Philad 26 Jelne 1798 D^r Sir I have recd your letter of the 22^d by the days mail. If you could know how much I have had to do, and how much I have been compelled to neglect [undecipherable] since I received your letter inclosing me to Parker and the other of [undecipherable] the 6th of [undecipherable] you would most heartily and nobly pity and forgive me, had I utterly overlooked the several matters [strikethrough: alluded to] which they related. You know how it was before you left the government and must have perceived that my business has been ever since upon the increase. With respect to Parker I would have delivered him your Letter, [strikethrough: corrected] I not learned that he had connected himself with a [undecipherable] who [undecipherable] desperate printing [undecipherable] [undecipherable] it best therefore not to give a person the [undecipherable] countenance [from] your name [undecipherable] would [undecipherable] upon a person whose politics had according to my information entitled him to none. If [undecipherable] If you think this objection not very valid it is not too late to give the letter taking upon myself the detention. You perhaps can guess at the difficulties I have had to encounter to do any thing for Shenandoah, When you recollect that nothing was done in your own time, altho the Land was purchased and paid for and a Law existed, under which an Arsenal must have been established. I have [strikethrough: but there are] nearly accomplished the object, and [strikethrough: undecipherable] hope in a few weeks to send a person to [strikethrough: undecipherable] make the preparatory and other arrangements for commencing immediately a manufactory of small arms. Thus you see or will see, that altho I have not written to you I have not been idle. Burr has been playing the double politician and a very foolish and hurtful game. He held conversation and correspondences with Talleyrand while he concealed [undecipherable] from his colleagues [undecipherable] and [strikethrough: undecipherable] the [undecipherable] and in [undecipherable] respects has conducted himself in the more exceptionable manner. He [undecipherable] he should have misconcieved the despatch of the 28^th of [undecipherable]. [strikethrough: by being] to day [undecipherable] in a manner [undecipherable] he [undecipherable] will find it difficult to [undecipherable] and think [it] will mortify his pride [and] prevent him from doing further mischief or longer sporting with the [dignity] & interests of his country. I think it probable that letters of Marque & reprisal will (as you see how the [storm] [thickens]) be shortly declared. [strikethrough: undecipherable] and that our [undecipherable] will soon [strikethrough: obtain] [undecipherable] its antient pilot. Will you, may we flatter ourselves that in a crisis so awful & important you will accept of the command of all our armies? [strikethrough: will send [undecipherable] officers &] [strikethrough: undecipherable] I hope you will because I cannot suffer myself to think that you alone can unite all hearts & all hands — of it is probable that they can be united. With sincere respects to M^rs W. & unatterable affection to yourself I am & Geo Washington S McH