[undecipherable] : 3^d May, '99 I have this moment [undecipherable] [your?] letter of the 22^nd [inst.]. In answer I have [to?] observe [that] [undecipherable] on the [9^th?] of May instant, to [him?] [undecipherable] in a [list?] [of?] nominations the name of [undecipherable] [Fowler?] to [fill?] the office to which Major [undecipherable: Hutton?] had been appointed: that I supported the nomination by what you had written to me on the subject; and that I have since and this morning the President's confirmation thereof. I [shall?] make your absence [with?] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] his letter of appointment or to bring the [person?] before the President who appears upon [undecipherable] [thereto?], to be [performed?] by the [colonel?] of the Regiment. [undecipherable] [undecipherable] that unless the advantage of talent and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in [favour?] of [the?] [undecipherable], that no alteration ought to be [proposed?] I have the honor to be with great Respect, Sir, your most ob[edient servant?] James McHenry The following nominations have also been concurred in, and will be immediately communicated to the gentlemen ap[pointed?]: [undecipherable] Graves L^t Colonel Timothy Darling Major Cornelius Lynde [First?] Major Israel W. Nelly N. Hamp[shire] 5^th Lt[s?] Thaddeus Kendall do do Marmaduke Wait [4^th?] do Benjamin [undecipherable] N. Hamp[shire] 2^nd Lt[s?] Major Gen[eral] A. Hamilton