[Note: The archive has indicated that some or all pages of this document are wholly or in part illegible.] [undecipherable] 14. [undecipherable] My dear Sir I have [undecipherable] the moment [undecipherable] your letters of the 16 & 17th instant, and have read them over cursorily tho not [undecipherable] fully understanding them I intend [undecipherable] you [undecipherable] [strikethrough: [undecipherable]] on the [undecipherable], [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to be [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of your and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] your [undecipherable] final instructions, and a co[undecipherable] [undecipherable] system on which they [undecipherable] founded [undecipherable] cannot however be [undecipherable] upon [undecipherable] or until our [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. It is certain, that you [undecipherable] have been a loser [undecipherable] in the way you mention, by accepting the office you now hold, and a, certain, that [undecipherable] requires, that none of the [undecipherable] emoluments annexed to it should be [undecipherable] [undecipherable] a [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] a [undecipherable] decision. I am preparing a report to the President, who has seen the two letters, and all the papers & letters communicated to me by General Washington. I shall [undecipherable] some matters to the subjects of [undecipherable] contracts and provisions they [undecipherable] when it will be [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Congress by [undecipherable]. The [undecipherable] of two companies, of [undecipherable] is [undecipherable]. yours [undecipherable] James McHenry [Colo^l Hamilton. [undecipherable]]