Quincy July 26 1799 [35] Sir The enclosed letter is from a very respectable Senator of our State, to a gentleman whom you know to be as respectable as any of our best federalists. Application has been made to me by D^r Hunt, another of our Senators and one of the most worthy & independent characters. Our North Hampton is the very renown of its namesake [undecipherable]. It has produced some of our very best characters & has been invariably through the late revolution & ever since a nursery of virtue, intelligence & patriotism. I pray you therefore to gratify the wishes of the Artillery company of North Hampton if it is possible, consistent with your established rules. The place is only about ten miles from Springfield. The persons may be [undecipherable] in two hours to Springfield on a boat down the river or in a wagon by an established road by land. You may depend on the punctuality of their engagements whenever you [undecipherable]. Secretary at War