D^r Sir                 (Private). I have signed the paper upon which yo[u] requested the opinion of the Heads of Department[s]. I take the liberty to suggest however, that [underline: writt[en] official opinions] ought not in my judgement to be called for, without the direction of the Presiden[t]. I am Sir Yours truly. Decr 7. 1798.                                                Oliv. Wolcott. James McHenry. Esq^r. I think the power of the President ought to be given to the Treasurer in his [strikethrough: capacity of] character his Treas[urer] for the Department of War, to be in his hands subject to the warrants of the Sec^ty. of War. Jany 28. '99.                                                Oliv. Wolcott. D^r Sir. Mr Harrison says that my opinion is desired respecting an advance to him, to pay the debts due by Mr. Francis, the late purveyor, I think the [strikethrough: allowance] advance ought to be made. I am D^r Sir Yours obar.                                                Oliv. Wolcott. James M^cHenry Esq.      May 26 1800