[Docket notation written sideways along right margin of cover: for [undecipherable] no Aug 1793 / [undecipherable] Aug 1793] [XLVIII 252] War Department 2^d Aug^t 1798 [20] I had the honour to [undecipherable] your letter of the 14^th on the 21^st inst. After what has passed with, and the conceptions of General Washington, respecting the relative grades of Generals Hamilton, Pinckney + Knox, the order observed by the President in presenting their names to the Senate, and by the Senate, in advising to the appointments, I cannot help apprehending some disagreeable consequences to the public service, should a different relative grade, be now known to be [underline: decisively] contemplated. In submitting this suggestion to your judgement, it is indispensable I should observe, that as well the choice of these gentlemen, as their relative military rank, proceeded originally and exclusively from General Washington, and that I had no agency direct or indirect, before, or while at Mount Vernon in deciding his mind, either to the choice or the arrangement of the rank of those selected. I informed you that he made the right to name the general officers + General Staff a condition of his acceptance, and presented to you accordingly his list on my return. When he communicated his choice and arrangement I was aware that it might be objected to; but having had difficulties to encounter, and certain [undecipherable: probable reading "impressions"] to remove, resulting from his not being consulted previous to his nomination, I did not think it prudent to lose the ground he had conceded, or indeed, that I should gain any thing by any effort of mine to persuade him out of his opinions. I only therefore, mentioned to him what I afterwards found he incorporated in his letter to Col. Hamilton, viz. that I concurred in his selection of officers, but whatever respected the persons named by him, and their relative rank must finally rest with the President. The circumstances I have detailed seem to require, that I should submit to your serious deliberation, whether it will be proper and expedient to attempt an alteration in the rank of the gentlemen in question; and if so — then, whether such a course as is indicated in the inclosed letters to General Knox, would not be preferable to a direct reference of the subject to General Washington, at this time, sanctioned by your authority, and perhaps less wounding to the feelings of the parties. If you decide upon this [undecipherable] you will be pleased to give orders for transmitting the inclosed letters to Gen. Knox. If otherwise, I am prepared to exert my best endeavours to execute your commands. My eldest child is extremely ill and I am far from being in health, two circumstances, which added to the multiplicity of attending to business distress and oppress me beyond expression. with the most sincere attachment I have the honour to be Sir your faithfull [undecipherable] James McHenry John Adams President of The United States.