Sir I have reed your letter dated the [undecipherable] submitting to me for [a] my determination whether [strikethrough: certain changes] the expence of transportation of the baggage of cert[ain] [undecipherable] officers — [strikethrough: the] paid by [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] accounts, [undecipherable] not to be [lee] charged the Officers respectively and giving your opinion that it ought. [Taking] [undecipherable] you have occasion I [undecipherable] that whenever a case [undecipherable] any case [undecipherable] is exclusively with the Secretary of War to determine, it will be most convenient with [undecipherable] to state the facts, whole [undecipherable] and [cause] it with the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] and the nature of the case, [undecipherable] from the party. He will no doubt as often as may serve to cast any light upon the question call for your opinion. Besides of conduct [undecipherable] It appears to me [undecipherable] As the question [which] your have proposed not requiring an immediate [decision] [undecipherable] I shall as soon as [time] will permit [undecipherable] give it [our] serious attention, [undecipherable] however [undecipherable] make a [few] [undecipherable] observations. [109] What ever respects the transportation [undecipherable] of the baggage of the officers of an army to [be] [undecipherable] by the Commanding in chief [undecipherable] commanding officer or [the] [undecipherable] [Comm] [undecipherable] appointments [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] accruments leave [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] arrangements to [undecipherable] [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] officers. [It] is only [where] [undecipherable] it is presumed they are the best judges and alone are responsible for the exercise [of] [their powers.] This is a well known [undecipherable]. Another fact is that in all armies [officers] are [entitled] to be furnished with the necessary transportation for their baggage as well in campaigns, as when ordered from one station to another. This rule obtained during [our] revolutionary war, and it is believed it cannot be departed from without a viola[tion] [undecipherable] of a right established by long usage in our own army and the uniform usage of all armies. [notwithstanding] It is certainly [however] proper that when it shall appear that the Quarter Master General, or the Commanding [undecipherable] [officer] of an army or detachment [undecipherable] or command, [undecipherable] has [given] [undecipherable] the most [undecipherable] who create indulgences in this way, [or] that [undecipherable] or [suffered] the officers to [occupy] [undecipherable] and baggage [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [paid] out of a [greater] quantity of baggage [than] [undecipherable] well allows to them — it is [liable] to be subject to reprehension; and that it [undecipherable] far more [undecipherable] for an unnecessary waste of the public monies — but [this] does not follow that the officers who enjoyed the indulgences or benefit[s] could be rightfully charged with [them] [undecipherable] difference of [opinion] [undecipherable] that they [were] entitled to. The cases presented [many] [undecipherable] but [which] amount to [undecipherable] — but [the] slight view I have taken of them [appear] to be the further transportation of officers baggage, or stores from [undecipherable] simply from the [rest?] of [undecipherable] government to [the] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] with some few exceptions. [Jas?] then officers moved a body and [as] to [one] place [being] destined for example [to] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] as [the] place of destination, there can be no doubt but of their being intitled to transportation for their baggage which always makes more in [case of] stores. Can the [government] lose any of its force when applied to them individually? [undecipherable] baggage to his [head?] officer [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [110] So far the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and [some] and other armies seem [undecipherable] [undecipherable] however as I have no [suggestion] take [tion] of more [leisure] to consider and in your [duty] [undecipherable] examined the particular cases to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] whether there are any of the [undecipherable] [many] [undecipherable] [except?] through exclude [undecipherable] the compass of the [undecipherable] or to require any [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] While you will [need] to examine with care, the documents [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [settlement] with a view to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in some cases since [undecipherable] [ment?] [undecipherable] to me [undecipherable] of the cases [undecipherable] the result of your [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Antique Extracts. In the Baltimore Intelligencer of Aug. 6 1798. [undecipherable] following notice. "The Methodist Company, under the com=mand of the [Hon.] Capt. Chalmers bide fair to reflect great honor on the patriotism & public Spirit of that society. At their last drill, upwards of forty appeared in complete & elg. uniform." Extract of a letter from W^m Huidman to J. McHenry. Sept. 8. 1798. "I must again intreat you to give Doct. W^m Nicholson a commission of captain in the provisional army. his federal merits are very great. He is among my most active, spirited & best friends & has been several times on the eve of fighting with his brother Joseph, who as warmly advocates Seney's election; the Doct. will be a most valuable man on the day of the election, he — I fear there will be much blood spilt." Extracts of a letter from W^m Huidman to Jas. McHenry Aug. 29 1798. "He (Doct W^m Nicholson) is a sensible man [of?] great [undecipherable] & what [qualifies?] him in my estimation is his differing from his relations in Politics. He has always advocated my elections & is now among my most active friends & I can do much. He & his brother Jo. are so warmly opposed that I wish it may not produce disagreeable consequences. his, obtaining a captains commission would aid the federal cause here very much & I must confess I have his success much at heart." — The opp. candidate was "conscious that any thing said against Washing=ton [would] must damn him with the People." [undecipherable] of [letter] from Geo. Salmore to Jas. McHenry. Balt. Oct. 7^th. 1798. "[But?] it is astonishing the number that would [not?] [interest?] [them?] [undecipherable] (in the election) many of whom [earn?] their living [undecipherable] some of them took on [undecipherable] [940] [E]xtract of a letter from Chas. Carroll of C[arrollton?] to J. McH. Dec. 1796. "the Individual states as such are not Known to foreign powers; we have nothing to do with them nor they [with] [undecipherable]. Should we pointedly notice & disapprove of [a] state's proceedings might we not be accused [of] breaking in upon the boundary of Province, another legislature solely [underline: intrusted] with the Management of our external relations." Samuel Chase to J. McHenry — Dec. 4. 1796. A free Press is the support of Liberty and a Republican government, but a licentious Press is the bane [?] of freedom and the pest of Society and will do more to destroy than any other Instrument, in the Hands of Knaves & fools. [941]