[20 ly.^t 1798 Jacob Glen] [Militia Application for command] Dear Sir, Some time ago, I requested my Brother in Law [undecipherable] Ambrose of Gran[d]Bush, to inform you of my Wishes to be appointed in the additional Army; and he [undecipherable] not [undecipherable] your [undecipherable] communicated to me at the miscarriage of his Letter — Therefore, permit me, Sir, again to offer my Services and Sollicit your Patronage in obtaining the Command of a Troop of Horse; and whatever you shall [undecipherable] necessary for me to do on the Occasion, shall be immediately attended to with Punctuality — From [undecipherable] attention to accomplish [undecipherable] will not on me a Casting Favor and should I be [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Sir, that I shall at all Times endeavor to do the utmost Justice to so Honorable and distinguished an [undecipherable] — Be pleased to present my [undecipherable] Compliments to [undecipherable] Hamilton — With the greatest Respect I have the Honor to be Dear Sir, [Your most Obedient humble Servant] [undecipherable] Major General Alexander Hamilton [undecipherable] Schenectady [undecipherable] 20, 1798 [2 No. Dec: 23. 1798] [undecipherable] [p 162.] Philad. 22 Dec. 1798 [215] Dear Sir, [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] The President directed the list of nominations, to be submitted to the heads of Departments for their observations; and have not yet been passed in the usual forms. I mention some of those yesterday. I expect them to day, and hope the nominations will be made on monday. [undecipherable] name will stand — but there are some to be omitted, some of them desired not to accept if appointed others [undecipherable] to be disqualified. These [undecipherable] were not [undecipherable] up but the articles for [undecipherable] considerable [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Upon [undecipherable] being [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] me. on the 24^th [undecipherable] my report to the President which will be laid before congress on the subject of our military affairs. It embraces also the points noticed in Gen. Washington's letter with additional matter with which I hope you will be satisfied. I have in the meantime availed myself of his name. I deemed this course preferable as it respects the head of the department, than a submission in any form of his letter to Congress. There would be no end to complainings and heart-burning were a foreigner to be placed at the head of the 2^d Regt. of Artillery. He does, would be [undecipherable: life?] exceptionable, and in a little time more objectionable. I am not at all displeased with him. He will mend of the failing you mention. I have no doubt, as soon as he perceives it likely to stand in the way of his promotion. [p 163.] I enclose you a copy of the recruiting instructions & the bases upon which they have been formed. Yours sincere friend. James McHenry [Maj^r Gen Alexr Hamilton]