[A: McHenry. Sec^t at War] The Hague 30. August 1798. My dear friend, [3^t] This letter is on a subject doubly interesting to me, as it relates to the determination of M^r Dandridge to leave me, & to the acquisition of another Secretary. Ever since we heard of the martial movements at home, Dandridge has been desirous of going to America — He has at last asked my consent — I have given it on his repeated solicitations — for from the manner in which we have lived, he would do nothing to disoblige me in this way — He is a most excellent & estimable man & has most fully equalled the short but good character which our illustrious Washington gave me of him. & I have an affectionate esteem for him & a brotherly solicitude for his happiness, prosperity & advancement — He looks to the military career, & though without the vanity of ambition he has its better features — a wish to be useful & an ardent desire to support the Independence & glory of his country. Dandridge had no pretence — no appearance of brilliance — but he has I undertake to say a sound & strong understanding cultivated beyond that his simplicity & modesty of manner would lead a Stranger at first to attribute to him — of this accuracy of judgement I have often availed myself — He is completely a man for high & delicate confidence & [N°. 1 Hague d — 20. Aug 1798.] in fact I set a great value indeed upon him. You knew him — but not as well as I have had it in my power to do. I do not mention him thus particularly to recommend him, as in a mere letter of introduction, but to do him justice & to prove as far as I can, his claim to a handsome & honourable appointment in the army. I then present him to you my dear friend as a candidate for a commission. I hope & believe that you can give him one suitable to him as a man of uncommon worth — as a true american well informed on the subject matter of our dispute with France and as the late Secretary of the late President of the United States — I know that you are acquainted with my friend Dandridge — but I could not let him apply himself, as I feel interested in his career & future lot & wish to give The energy & great exertions of the United States have produced a state of things in the [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] from [undecipherable] we may yet see the rights of Neutral nations, in general respected. It would delight every nerve in you to see the glory which is spreading over the United States at this moment in the eyes of Europe — She comes [undecipherable] on the Stage at an instant [undecipherable] progressus to eclat — When the heart of the continent had sunk. She plants her foot with firmness — France recoils — and every body is raised in triumph — for France does recoil — & I believe that [undecipherable]tion will but confirm what astonishment first produced. & that [undecipherable] will recoil further & we will preserve a steady aspect & a vigorous preparation — god bless my country — [undecipherable] acts to a charm. I will again write in some [undecipherable]. I am my dear friend affectionately a truly, always [undecipherable] [30 Aug 1798 W V Murray] The Hague [undecipherable] McHenry Secretary at War U.S.)