Trenton 23 Oct: 1798 Dear Sir. I had the honour to write to you on the 17^th inst and to transmit your commission of Major General to which I have received no answer. You may not aprehend, that your late Secretary Whitledge will not be overlooked in making the appointments to the new army. The second regiment or corps of Artillerists & Engineers [strikethrough: to] being without a Lieutenant Colonel Commandant, and it is my earnest wish to have the vacancy filled by a gentleman possessing suitable talents and respectability. Do you think Mr. Edward Rutledge unites the necessary qualifications and would accept of his corps? If so, I will immediately mention his name to the President. His [strikethrough: The] probability is that it would not be found necessary to draw him from the Southward at least he might be stationed there usefully for some time, to come. with great respect and esteem I have the honour to be D^r your ob^t S^t James McHenry [Docket: 23 Oct: 1798 / Gen. Charles C. Pinckney.] [* [undecipherable] Charles Colesworth Pinckney]