[Private & Confidential] 138 My dear Genreral. I recd. last night your letter of the 21st Inst. and also your private & confidential one of the same date. I find the President is extremely guarded in his expressions, but I perceive at the same time, that he will not refuse himself to any of your recommendations. I have [strikethrough: once seen] [undecipherable], by [strikethrough: Sundry] my letter (official) of the 16th of October, given you the foundation for your answer of the 21st. Inclosed are copies of the Presidents instructions to me and the letter I wrote to him from Trenton Vernon relative to your appointment. I have long since given orders and often renewed them, to have a copy made out for you, of the Captains & Subalterns who served in the revolutionary army. It has not been completed owing to the immense press of business on the office. The President has neither acknowledged or answered M^r Wolcolls letter. I suppose he does not intend any direct notice of it. I recd. one hundred dollars from you by me a letter from Mass Landes which discharged my advance for the colours. I mentioned also to Nelly the obstructions that prevented the calling of Lafabt & [undecipherable: issued at N. Castle] Genreral Macking has made no answer as yet to my letter with his commission. I cannot however suppose that he will offer any Objections to the rank of the Major Generals after the message he sent to Hamilton. Has Hodgdon sent you the return of our artillery &c &c? Yours ever & affectionately James McHenry 26 Oct^r 1798 Geo Washington &c [Rec^d. 509]