[To Hon. S. Chase 25 July 1798] Philadelphia 25 July 1798 Dear Sir. I have your letter of the 19^th inst. Mr Caton has written to me respecting the wish of the young McDowell to be appointed one of the aids to one General, and I have accordingly submitted the application. I shall do the same in the case of your son, who is certainly from all the accounts I have heard, a young man of promise, and that would soon grace the station he aims at with reputation. I was charged by a man of talents and much political [undecipherable] to mention him to the [undecipherable] and, when I [undecipherable] than I did so, and spoke of him as he [undecipherable] has the [undecipherable] declared giving [undecipherable] any promises, thinking it the best course to avoid engagements on the subject and have the field of choice open till the time an into that might [undecipherable] him [undecipherable] possess with the armies He [undecipherable] that in [undecipherable] [undecipherable] I will not see any [undecipherable] any or commanded any services I can render you or your Son. with real regard am [undecipherable] [undecipherable: H. McHenry?] [Agreed Hon^ble Chase]