[26 May 1799 Theodore Sedgwick] The Hon'ble [undecipherable] [St]ockbridge, [undecipherable] James [M'H]enry Esq^r. Secretary [undecipherable] [Phila]delphia. Stockbridge 26 May 1799. Dear Sir — Your favor I had the pleasure to receive the day before yesterday. If the executive measure, relative to the eventual army [undecipherable: probable reading "shall"], for the present, ultimate in procuring a list of names of men proper to be appointed as officers, it is doubtless wise and prudent; but if appointments are actually to be made, I should more than doubt its policy. Pardon, for my being thus abrupt and explicit. The interest I feel in every thing which regards the government, but more especially the executive department, is my only motive, is my only apology. I have not the act of Congress by me, but I have no recollection of any authority given by it to appoint officers who should not, from the time of the appointment, be entitled [strikethrough: be entitled] to pay. To appoint officers, and give them pay, [strikethrough: without] their rendering any service; to give, indeed not pay, will render, not only them, but the government, if not odious, unpopular. It is a situation, if I am not mistaken, in which men, qualified to serve their country, will not permit themselves to be placed. On the other hand, it does not appear probable to me, that men of education, & genius, with the hopes which they [undecipherable: probable reading "have"], will stop short in the pursuits which those hopes have prompted, and without any emolument, hold themselves subject for an indefinite time, to instant requisition. In New England, especially, where every man has to make his own fortune, this cannot be expected. Besides Besides, I believe it was not expected by the friends of the act, in the legislature, that any measures would be taken towards its execution, unless an army should take place, which at the time it passed, did not exist; and I fear that not completed measures will operate a considerable portion of Jacobin clamor. I can add with truth that every friend of the government with whom I have conversed concurs with me in opinion. — There are three young gentlemen strongly recommended to me to be appointed as Ensigns. In each instance those recommending them are entitled to respect and confidence. The names of the young Gentlemen are Wolcott Hubbell Jun^r., Charles Breckley and Job Howland Gardner. The inclosed letter, transmitted to me by a respectable gentleman in Albany, with expressions of profusion of esteem & affection for the writer, exhibits him as a young Gentleman of spirit & education. This I think, unfortunately for the public, (perhaps not for himself, for he has just begun his career, in the profession of the law, with excellent prospects,) that his application was not more favorably made. I am with great regard & esteem Dear Sir, Your most obedt. Serv^t. Theodore Sedgwick