[I 12] War Department 25 Oct^r. 1798 Sir. I have the honour to inclose you a copy of a letter from Major General Pinckney with a copy of my answer. with the greatest respect I have the honour to be your most ob^t. h—. James McHenry John Adams Esq^r President of the United States [Enclosure/s] [I 13] Newark, New Jersey, Oct^r 14. 1798. Dear Sir, A Master of a Salem fishing Vessel was so good as to give me an American Gazette a few leagues on this side the Banks of Newfoundland. Among the appointments by authority therein detailed, I saw my name in the list of Majors General. Be so obliging S^r as to make my acknowledgements to the President for this mark of his attention and acquaint him of my readiness to accept the Commission. As it is a long time since I have been at home, I shall be very glad, if the Service will admit of it, to have permission to attend my Wife and Daughter to Carolina. I will return as soon afterwards as shall be required, or not desire to go if the Service requires my immediate presence. Permit me in the nominations that are making to Commissions to request one for my late Secretary Major Henry Middleton Rutledge. He has been attentive when at the Hague to the exercises and manœuvres of the French, Dutch and German Troops which were there quartered, and applied himself in his hours of leisure from the duties of his Office to studying military Authors. Being young (now about 22.) he was not old enough in the last War to see actual Service. But for two years preceding my departure for Europe, he used to attend me as one of my extra aids in the Reviews which I was accustomed regularly to make of the Regiments in my division. I heard from our friend M^r. Murray, a few days before I left Bordeaux, he and M^r. Murray were well. — I remain with great regard and esteem Your most obed^t. hble. Servant signed, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. Col. McHenry Secretary of War [I 14] War department, 17^th October 1798. Dear Sir, I received your letter dated Newark the 14^th instant this morning, and sincerely congratulate you upon your safe arrival. The readiness you have expressed to accept of your appointment, after so long an absence from home and your private affairs, is extremely satisfactory, and will I am sure be justly estimated by the President and your Country. I enclose your Commission of Major General in the Army of the United States, and flatter myself, I shall soon have the pleasure of seeing you here, when we can talk over some points upon which your opinion will be required, and the propriety of a short delay, or your immediately proceeding home agreeably to your desire. The relative rank of the Major Generals of the Army (as you have collected from the order of appointment, as announced in the News-paper referred to,) is as follows. viz. Major General Alexander Hamilton, Major General Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, and Major General Henry Knox. — With sincere regard I am D^r Sir, Your most obed^t. Servant signed, James McHenry. Major General Charles Cotesworth Pinckney.