[Private] London June 1. 1799. Dear Sir, Your favor of the 2^d April covering the official notification of my appointment to be Captain of Infantry &c has been delivered to me by W. Teachle. The kind manner in which you have communicated this information is entitled to & receives my sincere thanks. When I requested an appointment in our army, it was my intention to have returned to America if I succeeded in getting one. Soon after however the situation in which I now am presented itself & caused an alteration in my intention of returning home, and I was in hopes M^r Murray's letter informing you of this w^d have been in time to prevent any nomination a trouble. My Engagement with M^r King does not allow : me to accept the appointment at present, nor indeed does the footing upon which our army stands invite an acceptance. — I think we are in no Danger of Invasion from any quarter; when we are, I pledge myself to you and the President to give all the aid in my power to repel it & to support the lawful Gov^t of our country. Gen^l. Washington had informed me of my appointment, & I had long since (in toto) I returned him the same answer that I now do to you — that I should not accept. He will no doubt have informed you of this. I am sorry to have given you so much trouble in this business, but am glad that it has afforded an opportunity to your nephew to visit Europe & to be with our worthy friend M^r. Murray. M^r. McHenry arrived at the Hague the beginning of May after a very tedious passage of upwards of seventy days. to Ham— Hamburgh. M^r. Murray is in a very ill state of health & I wish the fatigue of his last appointment, may not put an end to his Existence. — M^r. Teachle appears to be a very worthy &gentlemanly young man & has rec^d all the Civilities that Mthing or myself cou^d give him. With great Respect &Esteem D^r Sir: Y^r obed^t Serv^t. B. Dandridge — P.S. Herewith you have an answer to y^r official letter. —