[13 Sep. 1798 President acknowledged 18 Oct^r] Quincy Sep^t 13. 1798. Sir I have rec^d your Letter of the fourth and return you the blank Commissions signed and all the Papers included in yours. As to Major Brooks, I know not how a Man can talk of fighting "French Blockheads" who has been capable of Saying Since his appointment "that Things "were gone well all before the arrival of the Dispatches "of the Envoys: but the publication of those Dispatches had "ruined every Thing?" He must have a very long head if he has an honest heart. I will leave it to you and M^r Stoddert to determine this affair according to your best Judgements. The Gentleman is to me a total Stranger. If you think it safe to trust him, I will. — If not arrange him Some other Way. General North's Letter I dont admire I mean neither to plead, Stipulate or negotiate with him about his Acceptance — I had no Idea of imposing him [strikethrough: in the Service]. He may Accept or reject his Appointment as he pleases [strikethrough: une] unquestionably. I shall give him no other Command or [undecipherable] [strikethrough: than] his future Behaviour will depend his future Ap- I pray you to reply to the Corps of Arty of Warren County N Carolina according to your own Ideas, The other Things are approved by yr humb Ser^t John Adams [James Mc Henry Esq^r]