him by letter on the 4^th of August 1798, and make your own reflections. I find I have too little [undecipherable] me today, to go fully into the [undecipherable] other points in your letter. I must therefore reserve that I have to detail to another opportunity [undecipherable] therefore a few words suffice for the present. It was not one representative alone who opposed the appointment of Gibbs; but very influenceable members from Massachusetts in both branches; to which is to be added both Whroccott and W^m Pickering. Mercer has been pressed upon the President in a manner which could not be resisted. This is all I have time to say. You will no doubt [undecipherable] perceive, that the situation in which I have been thrown during the last year, by others, who prevented all those measures from being carried into effect, which the publics expected would necessarily take place, in conformity to the laws, could not fail to attach to me much censure and excite in the minds of persons, who could not be informed of the facts, that I wanted capacity for the proper conducting of my department. What could I do in such a case? I have sub- mitted, to a censure which those who know all the case, ought to relieve me from, on every fair occasion when it can be done with propriety. Be apured I shall attend to my little friends promotion the moment I can find a vacant niche above that which he now fills. Accept once more of my sincere thanks for your letter, and let me intreat you to continue to [undecipherable] me such proofs of your friendship as often as you think they will be useful to apprise me of the publick expectations, or any omissions or faults into which I may [undecipherable]. Sincerely and most affecte- [tion]ately am my dearest [undecipherable]. yours [undecipherable] James McHenry Excuse any thing in this letter which may have proceeded from the haste in which it has been written. It is the first draught, and I have not read over. [To] Washington Esq^r