War Department 20 July 1799 Dear Sir. I regret that it has been found inconvenient to you and Gen Lloyd to make a selection of gentlemen to fill the offices for the additional army pro-posed to be drawn from Maryland. It will [strikethrough: perhaps] me [undecipherable] up the at this time silent it [strikethrough: subject] It must [strikethrough: however] be done. You may however still assist [strikethrough: I] by [strikethrough: causing] furnishing me [strikethrough: a list con-] with a list con-taining the names, and places of abode of one or two of the most respectable federal characters in each County of the State to whom I may write for information. If you [strikethrough: wish] and in this [strikethrough: respect] and such [undecipherable] it can [strikethrough: and] [undecipherable] in [undecipherable] support it will [strikethrough: much] oblige me. Yours truly [strikethrough: humble] John E. Howard [endorsement, written sideways:] 20 July 1799 Jn^o E. Howard Even leave Army