[4 June 1799 To Gen. Hamilton [underline: Mr A. Pattersons impri:]] [undecipherable] 4^th June 1799 Dear Sir. I have just received your favour of the 16^th of May last. You will see by the Law for raising the additional army (which is inclosed) that there is an express prohibition against allowing any pay to its officers till called into actual service. Doubt the propriety of the measure of [undecipherable] characters, at this juncture, and previous to any contract or declared change in [undecipherable] [undecipherable] My Dear Sir. I think the information contained in [strikethrough: the contents of] the inclosed letter from Mr Patterson [undecipherable] entitled to attention. The writer stands high in the opinion of Mr [undecipherable] and I have always heard him spoken of as a man of honour and veracity. He was candidate for one of the Regiments. Be pleased to return me the letter Yours affey James McHenry 4^th June 1799 [Gen Hamilton]