[8 Dec^r 1798 Col. John E. Howard Hale.] Philad. 8 Dec^r. 1798. Dear Sir I find myself much nay greatly at a loss respecting a proper and fit character to command the regiment which may be raised in Maryland. Col [undecipherable: Caruae?] Hale will be [undecipherable: considered?] from his standing in the army during our revolutionary war, has pretensions, what his actual merit as an officer was, I had no opportunity to determine, and I am equally ignorant of his political opinions, and whether the Latter are of such a nature as to form a solid obstacle to his appointment in case former services or military merit intitle him to the Presidents attention as soon as possible. I [strikethrough: undecipherable] pray you, to continue freely on the subject. I shall consider whatever you say to me confidential. yours sincerely, Col. John E. Howard