[undecipherable] [The Hon^ble Maj Gen^l Hamilton [strikethrough: Philadelphia] New York] [Milit[ary] p 115] [[undecipherable] Applications for Comm[ission]s] Well knowing the influence you justly have in the distribution of Commissions for the Army to be raised, & believing (since I have seen & conversed with him, which I had not for 7 years) that the [undecipherable] is as well qualified to lead a Company, as some others who probably will attain to the rank of Captain: I have directed him to present himself to you, & ask your interest in obtaining his wishes. Was he not to be considered as a citizen of this State, perhaps I might be more diffident with respect to his applications; but coming from the district of Maine, which according to the antient system will be entitled to its share of Officers, I must consider him modest in asking only for the rank of Captain — His father is a man of respectability & property, & has always been a Whig & a Federalist. I am with the greatest respect, Your ob[edient] Ser[vant] W. North Duanesburg 15 Dec 1798 Sir on my arrival in Ph[iladelphia?] I heard you had return to New York and having a letter to you I thought it proper to send it on. A line from you address'd to the Secretary at War, will be of essential Service to [undecipherable] most obedient [and] very respectfully [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable]