[29] New York June 19. Dear Sir This will be handed to you by M^r Brinley a Gentleman of New York who is on the list of nominations of Lieutenants. You will find among the letters very strong recommendations of this Gentleman. I very well remember that the General Officers lately convened at Philadelphia hesitated not a little between this Gentleman & M^r Ellen for the command of a company. I think finally it was agreed to place him first on the list of Lieu-tenants that he might be first for promotion to a Captaincy. I understand that he is on the contrary placed last on the list of lieutenants. How this has happened I am at a loss to imagine unless there was a mistake in the list. The nomination presented by me will confirm to you the above view of the subject. M^r Brinley is ready to accept the appointment of Lieutenant on the ground I have mention^d — and I am clearly of opinion that he ought to be so secured. His pretensions as to family qualifications &c give him this title. I am aware the arrangement is not now wholly definitively fixed. But if the Executive opinion on the subject is ascertained to this it is easy to give M^r Brenley an expectation which will satisfy him. Y^rs with great respect & regard A Hamilton James M^cHenry Esq^r