[24 June 1799 Uriah Tracey] [undecipherable] from M: James McHenry Secy at War Philad:— [seal] Litchfield 24 June 1799 My dear Sir — your favor of the 14^th inst is the 2^d with thanks. — Abijah Frow was I am now told at one of our Courts, in very [undecipherable] but visible — considerable transaction which renders it improper for him to be an Officer untill it can be cleared up — I knew not of this, but now I have the information I cannot in justice to the public permit him to be appointed without notifying you of this fact — I wrote to Col Taylor in his favor — but have taken the first opportunity to inform him of this conviction — & take back all I had said — This is the first time I have been caught & I give very little recommendation now, relying on others. — But Ambrose Hitchcock is so good a man, I can but repeat my wishes that he may have the appointment & Col M^r. Frow be suspended & if possible for the present. I am astonished & grieved at Brother Sedgwick he certainly misunderstood our Laws & he [undecipherable: had?] approved of the idea that no immediate appointment should take place — permit me to say, your letter to him contains miserable arguments, & positions incapable of [a?] capable [undecipherable: misprision?], in favor of this appointment. I am so perfectly satisfied with this measure of appointing the Officers of the eventual Army, & I have been able not only to silence all opposition to it, in Connecticut but to make it so popular, that I will risk any thing proper to be wished that it will be popular in Massachusetts & indeed all over the New England States. — Our best men in Connectt. come forward & say, I am willing to take an appointment in the Eventual Army, if they are called into actual service, it will be such a time as will be trying indeed, & in that case I had rather be in command than out, but at the time I wish for nothing." — I am delayed by accident about forwarding the list to you, but shall soon be able to do it & I pledge myself — it will contain the right men — & in general better men than Taylor's List. Tho' I can see no [undecipherable] of them, they are an excellent Corps of Officers — but I think my eventual list will be the best men our Country affords both in point of bravery, property, & principle. — In the County where I live, there is one [undecipherable: compleat Company?] commonly raised & [undecipherable] can be raised there in a month, altho' the busiest season of the year — & in [undecipherable], I can raise a Reg^t here in this little County in a month & they shall all be veterans, & the best of men for a diversity size & character — This looks like bragging, but it is not so — I declare it is a sober Statement of facts as I really believe. — Capt Ramsey the recruiting Officer here informs me he is troubled to get rid of men, who wish to enlist — & that he could have enlisted 200 by this time, had he had money & clothing. — I will write to M^r Sedgwick, but not disclose my knowledge of his letter. I thank you much for the two Pamphlets containing the Military Laws &c. — If France will [undecipherable] to send a French Minister to the U States — altho I [undecipherable] a journey to, or stay at Philad: in the last session, M^r [undecipherable] reasons to him to be [undecipherable: convened?] — I had rather only to [undecipherable], not to have it in my power to say of more, as I will most certainly [undecipherable] that he must be he who he may, to be most directly back again. — I will not consent to say a word to a French Minister on the subject of negotiation. — I sincerely wish I [undecipherable] to, that the President would [undecipherable] dismiss him without instructions. — If he offers an indemnity for past injuries, [undecipherable: should?] accept, but go no further, we want no [undecipherable: contract?] league or [undecipherable: compact?] with that set of bandits. — I trouble you often, & now with a long letter, your goodness will excuse me. I am with much respect & Attachment Y^r: Ob^t Sv^t — Uriah Tracy Honorable J. McHenry.