[6 may 1799 U. Tracy] [Millie Lau b — 9^tee] Hon^ble James McHenry, Secretary Philad^a Litchfield 6^th May. 1799 — My Dear Sir — Your favor of April 19^th has safely arrived, for which you have my thanks. Your letter to [undecipherable: M^r Williams] & myself respecting a selection of Officers, he had sent me before the rect. of yours & In the course of next weeks I hope we shall be able to forward you the list. — due attention shall be given to the subject, & as soon as propriety will permit you shall have the Names. — The insurrection in Pennsylvania must be treated with severity. I suppose military execution was impracticable, but if some executions are not had of the most notorious offenders — I shall regret the events of Lenity in '94 & '99 — as giving a fatal stroke to Government — and much time cannot elapse before we shall all understand that undue mercy to villains, is cruelty to all the good & virtuous. — Our people in this State, are perfectly astonished, that cost must continually be incurred for insurrections in Pennsylvania for which they say they are Taxed, & yet no punishment is inflicted on the offenders — I am fatigued & mortified, that our Gov^t which is weak at best, should withhold any of its strength at a time when all its energies should be doubled. Have you any influence with the Pres^t of the United States. — Why is the Alien Law not enforced? Why is old Letomb permitted to exercise the functions of his defunct Consulship — in open defiance to all the shadows of positive Laws. — Do, my dear friend let "in the people" know that you the Executive are willing to put Laws in force; at least when they are made to last but for a season, a little season. — Pardon me, I can not intend to offend you; but I will make you & all the other Secretaries accountable for all the imaccountables of the Executive. Is there a vacancy in the Corps of Artillerists for a Lieut? Thomas Ray, of a respectable family & Connections, 26 years old, active healthy & a soldierily looking man, is desirous of making Arms his profession for life. his friends in New Haven where he was born, have recommended him, & in this Town, where he has lived a year or two; so much that I venture to name him to you — if a vacancy proper for him should occur, be so good as to let me know. — & likewise how you mean to fill the vacancies in this Regt. now raising, as I shall recommend one or two if you take new recommendations for vacancies. — I am Sir with due consideration & sincere esteem y^r Obed^t Serv^t. Uriah Tracy Hon^ble M^r McHenry —