[Endorsement notation at top right, written at an angle: — [undecipherable] 3 [undecipherable]] 17 Augt. 1798 John Adams [Filing notation at top right, partially illegible] War Department 17^th Aug. 1798 Sir, I have the honor to transmit you [strikethrough: under] [strikethrough: dan and dub] a letter just received, [strikethrough: with an address from] [strikethrough: number of citizens of the] a very respectable and [strikethrough: numerous] portion [strikethrough: of the] [strikethrough: brave] district of Maryland. M^r Ridgely of Hampton who lives near Baltimore is one of the wealthiest men in the State and at the same time unimpeachable & respectable. With the sincerest attachments and respect I [strikethrough: am] am Sir : Your ob^t Ser^v Perhaps you may remember my putting an address into your hands the day before you left Phila— to which I have rec^d. no answer President of the United States