[p. 1.] — East Chester August 4^th 1798 — The Hon^ble James McHenry Secretary of War — Sir, Wishing to remove the unfpleasant impressions which some designing men have taken pains to make on the minds of some of our Inhabitants formerly respected and particularly solicitous to regain that station in your good opinion and the other ministers of our Government, which I flatter myself I once possessed, I take the liberty of enclosing you a certificate from the Freeholders of the Election did in the place of my residence, from which it will appear that the charge brought forward against me of violently advocating an election upon principles unfriendly to the constitution and Government of my country is untrue, unredded and not grounded in fact. It, whilst the charge has fully answered the end the first Document had in view, viz. to induce the Senate to negative the nomination with which I was complimented as Adjutant General of the Army — if it will give any further gratification I freely acknowledge, they could not have more fortified one more or more pointedly electrified my feelings — as at the same time I wish it to be clearly understood that I shall always contend for the dignified and advocate the freedom of Elections, and the unbiased vote of an Independent Elector — I shall now esteem myself particularly Happy if you will present my name to the President of the United States as a Candidate for a Commission in the twelve Troops more immediately to be raised — our family present the Government Three