[Private] Philad. 16 Aug. 1799 Dear Sir. I recd this morning your letter of the 8^th + 9^th inst. I have presented to the President D^r Josepth Dwight for the Office of Mate in the 14th Regiment commanded by Lt Col Price. He could not be named there. [strikethrough: Giving] The Lt Colonels of the 14 & 15th Regiments have their favorites: and it is customary to attend to the recommendations of Col^s in no case so nearly affecting their persons. If he should not be appointed and Portsmouth becomes a garrisoned place I shall have [undecipherable] a temporary [undecipherable] to attend the [undecipherable] at the Dwight Fort [undecipherable] I am &c Yours truely James McHenry