Philadelphia July 7. 1798 Dear Sir Mr. McHenry the Secretary at War, will have the Honor to wait on you, in my behalf to impart to you a Step I have ventured to take, and which I should have been happy to have communicated in person, if such a journey had been at this time, in my power. As I said in a former letter if it had been in my power to nominate you to be President of the United States, I should have done it with less hesi tation and more pleasure. My reasons for this measure, will be too well known to need my explanation to the Public. Every Friend and every Enemy of America will comprehend them, at first blush[?]/ To you, Sir I give all the Apologies I can make. The [?]urgent necessity, I am in, of your [?]advice and assistance indeed of your conduct and [undecipherable] of the War, is all, I can urge, and that is a sufficent Justification to myself and the world. I hope it will [undecipherable] by yourself. Mr McHenry will have the honor to consult you upon the organization of the Army, and upon every Thing relating to it. With the highest respect I have the honor to be, Sir your most obedient and most humble Servant John Adams

General Washington