[6 Aug. 1798 / To Geo. Washington] War Department 6 Aug. 1798 Dear Sir. Feeling [myself?] very much and [feverish?] and [undecipherable] to go home indisposed [undecipherable] the [office?]. I think it best to acknowledge [your?] [undecipherable] letters of the 29 of July & 1 & 2 Aug. 1^st The 29^th of July. I have written a letter to the President relative to an arrangement for the speedy appointment of the officers to the 12 regiments and other subjects relative to the army on which I give [my?] opinion that you have a right to appoint whenever you please a Secretary. I expect he will be of the same opinion. It is founded on the 5 sect. of the Provisional army act. The President communicated Smith [as?] Adjutant General, [and?] [strikethrough: the Senate rejected the] nomination was rejected by the Senate No reasons were [openly] assigned [on?] the [Senate?] [but?] but the rejection was on account of his embarrassed [circumstances?] [undecipherable] to suspicions that he had not conducted [himself?] properly in terms of his pecuniary engagements. The President felt the disappointment keenly. I think it was a hasty measure in the Senate. I have explained in a short [letter?] the reason why no nomination was made for [undecipherable: probable reading "Lucible"] [undecipherable]. Every thing [respecting?] the two col[umns?] are in train. yours affectionately Geo Washington