[undecipherable] [15 Oct^r 1798 / To Gen. Hamilton] War Department 15th. Octo. 1798 Sir. I had the honour to receive your letter of the 30th of Sept. ulte. inclosing commissions for the three Major Generals of the army of the United States, signed and dated on the same day. In contemplating the communications which may be expected from this department, at the time of presenting his commission to each of the Generals, I found myself embarrassed [strikethrough: subjecting] [strikethrough: the judgement I was to] [strikethrough: the course you meant I should] [strikethrough: from the theoretical afore conduct, the deliberations] [strikethrough: pursue upon the] occasion. Wishing to avoid [strikethrough: that has been a] [strikethrough: subject, already attended with] [strikethrough: accompanied] too many unpleasant circumstances, by returning the [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] upon you, [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] and after [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] [strikethrough: that last was induced] to transmit the commissions to Generals Hamilton & Knox, and inform them, that I considered the order of nomination and approval by the Senate [strikethrough: was considered] as determining [strikethrough: and] their relative rank.