[26] [/w] Quincy Sep 6^th 1798 I received your favor of Aug 29 last night. I have received nothing from the Sec'y of State respecting the castle which ought to be accepted & the commands removed as soon as possible & a respectable officer & garrison appointed. I perceive that Tousard is coming here. I have not why no interpreter. Gen Hamilton recommends him to be inspector of artillery. I have no reason to suspect Tousard's honor or fidelity but a man vested with the name & tongue of a Frenchman would not in a French war have the confidence of this nation. The recruiting service in Boston I understand has had some success but the demand for sailors & marines will interfere with it. Mr Brooks is the major I alluded to in a former letter. The letter from Mr Stoddert & that from Major Brooks which you intended to enclose in your letter to me you omitted. So that I am ignorant of his apology. And I have undoubted information that long since his nomination to be a major & his knowledge of it he has said things which would have damned me & all my children & grand children. If you can prove such outrages against Col. Smith or any of my sons, you shall have my consent to send them to France. Untill I have some explanation or satisfaction I will never sign his commission. I am very sorry you omitted to enclose his letter & Mr Stoddert. Against Major Hoops I have received no accusation or insinuation. Although Lovell was a Capt before many whom in nomination were Lieutenants, I am convinced by your reasoning, that it will be better to think of some other arrangement for him, different from that which I proposed, viz to make him a Capt in the place of Capt Mitchell. We will postpone this subject if you please to some future consideration. With great regard I have the honor to be Sir your most obedient James McHenry John Adams Sec'y at War