[undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] I received [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of the 30^th of August [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] appertaining to [undecipherable] conducting the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] given to you [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] by General [undecipherable] [undecipherable] which had been [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. In the mean while — Cap. Mitchell died, and I found on my recovery that a certificate had been sent to give [undecipherable: probable reading "containing"] what General Smith has said on that occasion, as stated by Cap. [undecipherable] during his illness to the [undecipherable] who subscribed it. Thus the business stood when the prevailing fever at Philadelphia obliged us to make a precipitate retreat before I had recovered. I have endeavoured, since that time, to ascertain the facts, by other testimony, and have understood, but yesterday learning that W. [undecipherable] of the House of Representatives, at Wilmington, Delaware, was present at table with Gen. Smith, and was so much struck with his conversation and opinions, that he mentioned them to several persons afterwards. I shall drop him a line to day, to learn the truth and request him to make it known to you. It may be proper also that you should [undecipherable] write to him yours sincerely James McHenry Col. J.S. Howard Esq. [From Jas. McHenry]