[Hague 30 Jany 1799 W^m V. Murray] The Hon^ble James McHenry Esq^r Secretary of War &c United States &c Philadelphia. Philadelphia 30^th January 1799 Dear Sir, I have seen in a [undecipherable], that an extract of a letter from me, to General [undecipherable], has been published in a [undecipherable] Paper, with comments which may perhaps have distorted, or entirely mistaken my meaning. I inclose you copies of the only letters I have written to General [undecipherable], with copies of two letters from General [undecipherable] to me. You will much oblige me, if in your judgment it will answer a useful purpose, in giving the whole contents of my two letters, or either of them, at some time and under such circumstances as to you may seem proper. You will perhaps think it best to say nothing, that may convey an idea of my having desired the Publication. If my information is just, I cannot but suppose, the Publication in the [undecipherable] Paper alluded to, is one of the measures [undecipherable] to mislead the Public Opinion, respecting the decisions, and intentions of the [undecipherable] of The General Government. From dear Sir with regard and esteem your obedient serv^t James McHenry Col. Edw^d C. Carrington Richmond Virginia [undecipherable] the method there is reason to suspect that France[?] [undecipherable] — I can call it [undecipherable: flourishing?] — it is such a [undecipherable] that the French retired from Tuscany in [undecipherable] from the Imperial Gov — [undecipherable] for I think — I [undecipherable] circulates here sooner than [undecipherable] communications — [undecipherable] appears to me [undecipherable: impossible?] while forces remain in such hands. a [undecipherable] it at [undecipherable] — would [undecipherable] or [undecipherable] induced them to [undecipherable] even — they would [undecipherable] them out the very side of [undecipherable] had they obtain [undecipherable] — 1 Feb^y 1799.