Knoxville 25 Aug^t 1799 Sir Should it be deemed Necessary to by [strikethrough: raise the] the President [strikethrough: to raise a portion] the Army contemplated in case of an eventual necessity, I shall hold myself ready to [strikethrough: fill the office] accept the appointment I had the honor of being Nominated for in the Provincial Army, provided I may be thought Adequate to such a command. Permit me to [strikethrough: assure] Sir, Nothing but a real desire, to Serve My Country in the time of imminent [strikethrough: danger] cordal induce me to accept of Such a Command, filling already the Most respectable My Country can confer. I flatter myself I could be Useful, in the State of Tennessee and be the Means of inducing A number of Active Men to engage in the Army Both as officers, and Soldiers, and be assured, the Government will [strikethrough: have] My hearty Support in opposing the aggressions of any invader Whatever, [undecipherable] Situation be What it May. I have the honor to be Sir [undecipherable] Honors &c [Secretary of War [undecipherable] Henry [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] 1799 [undecipherable]]