[See 3] [Pg 134] [748] Trenton Oct. 17 1798 [Private] At the close of the last Week or on Monday of this, a letter was rec'd by the Sec'y of War from the President covering the Commissions of the Major Generals, dated in one day. This circumstance taken in connexion with others which preceeded, fully justify an opinion that the ranks may considered, [strikethrough: which] in the order in which the Appointments were made of course) that you are [strikethrough: established] in the rank of first Major General — I supposed till yesterday that the Commissions had been transmitted by M^r McHenry with an Official Letter setting the grade — I find however that our friend McHenry still hesitates; I will however prevail on him to do his duty if I can. — In the mean time permit me to say to you with confidence, that the affairs which has caused so much doubt, delay and perplexity ought not in justice to be [strikethrough: attributed] entirely to the President — I will admit that he happened in my opinion greatly mis-[strikethrough: taking]. The affair was however unfortunately managed. And General Washington & the President had not been understood by each other. The question of ranks being settled, I sincerely hope that General Knox will decline service. his pecuniary affairs are I believe so embarrassed, that there is no prospect of his preserving his independence & I much fear, that [strikethrough: the] fortune, modern speculators have left to character, awaits him. As a friend to your fame, [& to the public interests,] I cannot omit to request that no conversation may take place respecting the question of ranks upon your personal feelings will be more alleviated by such an explanation as I will give you when we have the fortune to meet. In the next place let me request, that as little may be done as possible relative to the organization of the Army, before there is to a deliberate consultation upon the state of our affairs — Depend upon it, that the arrangements of the War Department are all defective, and that nothing will answer without a thorough reform — Besides, do not countenance the plans for making appointments [X] in the great destinies of our Country — as the recommendations of individual [undecipherable] — though you may feel confidence in your own judgement, yet it will be well to remember that the same power will be exercised by others who may not be equally well informed — [if a few more mistakes are made, the union will be [undecipherable] irretrievably ruined.] If I can do it without danger, I will call on you as I go out to Connecticut at the close of this month, when I will explain [undecipherable] to [redacted] your obed't serv't Oliv. Wolcott. Alexander Hamilton Esq. [Postscript, largely illegible]