[undecipherable] 25. May 1799 Sir, 2 I have lately received the letter which you did me the honor to write to me, informing me that the President of the United States had, by & with the advise & consent of the Senate, appointed me a Captain of Infantry in the army of the United States. Sincerely sensible as I am to this mark of the President's Confidence, to whom thro' you I beg leave to offer my respectful acknowledgements, I must request you to inform him that my present Pursuits forbid my acceptance of the appointment with which he has been pleased to honor me. With real Respect & Esteem I have the honor to be Sir, Yr mo: obt: Ser: [undecipherable] James McHenry Esq Sec^y of War James McHenry Esq^r Secretary of War Philadelphia