[Private & confidential] Mount pleasant May 18. 1800 S^r. — although I can retire without complaint, yet it blegs to my Sens of Character, that I should give the President a full impression of the Situation late measures have placed me in, and this is the more important as my plan is to view a argument with the complacent eye of acquiescence, rather than the acrimonious one of disappointment. — I cannot doubt that you will join me in the propriety of Sending him the inclosed Letter, and inter nos/ I have a private reason for wishing him it to be delivered early tomorrow morning/ if it should be improper to send it this Evening/ for I understand M^r A — takes his departure tomorrow. I have so framed my Letter that you may either it put a feel in it & find it as if it had not pafled through your hands, or give it currency through your intermifsion. this as you think most proper. P.S. as I have marked the inclosed Private, perhaps merely Sending it by a messenger would be best. The J. McHenry I will See you early in the morning, & remain as ever your Obliged & obedient [signed] [undecipherable] [Docket notation, verso: J. Williams / May 17^th 1800] [Address, verso: The Honorable / James McHenry Esq^r]