[Pg 117.] [Private] Fort Wayne Jany 25^th 1799 Dear General, It gives me a singular pleasure to have an opportunity of congratulating you on the choice that the President and Senate have made in the appointment of the [undecipherable] General of the Army. America will see once more those military talents which formerly were confined in their execution to too small a Compass now Diffuse themselves into every Department of the [undecipherable] and display themselves on a much larger Scale — and the Pupil under your tuition will rejoice in having an opportunity of making himself perfect in the Art of War — I hope my Dear General that you will not give a^her wrong interpretation to my [undecipherable] — it is not flattery, it is the [underline: Real Sentiments] I have always [undecipherable: probable reading "entertained"] of your abilities since I had the honor of serving under your immediate Command, and on all occasions I have proclaimed them to the Western Army — done and long have I wished to introduce those principles [undecipherable] taught me, and much do [undecipherable] to see Duty done à la [undecipherable: probable reading "Hamilton"] — it is but a few Days since I returned from the army on the Mississippi; General Wilkinson having been an [undecipherable: probable reading "eye"] witness to the Decline of my Health, has permitted me to Return to this place, and has Recommended to the Secretary of War to give me the [undecipherable] Command of the Post on the lakes — what will be done about it I know not — but it is absolutely Necessary for the good of Service that such a Commission Should exist with some person — The troops were when I left the Mississippi getting Better, and the General was about beginning some fortification. I would give you a detail of the Works which were then Contemplated but as General Wilkinson has sent a Sketch of them to the [undecipherable: probable reading "President"] which you can better Satisfy yourself if I was not a fear of troubling you toomuch I Should write you on many Subjects, I will therefore Conclude my letter by assuring you that [I am] with the greatest Respect and Esteem your Most obedient and Very humble Servant [signature] Major Gen Hamilton [Back cover docket: at Mambank / Jany 25. 1799]