[No 29 June 1799 Gen. G. Washington — [undecipherable]] [Private] & Conf^t. Phile 29 June 1799 my Dear Sir. I reed yesterday your private letter of the 25^th inst and its enclosures which I now return. The objections you suggest, relative to the promotion of the officer in question are entitled to very serious considera-:tion. Major Generals Lee & Hand might accept a station in the regular army, and certainly the Eastern quarter of the union will not be pleased unless they have one of it one Major General. I have but one observation to make. If the promotion contemplated is to be attempted, it will be proper, that [for the General] the General should be recommended by you in an official form to [strikethrough: undecipherable] that the subject may be laid before the President. I enclose a letter I reed. from Gen Hamilton and my answer als both of which you will be pleased to return. Coc Howard & Gen. Lloyd have declined, on account of pretended difficulties, making a selection of persons for officers for the aventure army. They are afraid of what good men ought not to be afraid to * risking a little popularity — May I venture to ask you to undertake for Maryland? Yours ever affectionate James McH— Geo Washington