[Private] Trenton 11 Sept 1799. all that you say, my dear Sir, of your standing in the old army is strictly true; and that it ought to have intitled you to a higher rank than has fallen to your lot, had I been the sole judge, might have been proved to your satisfaction. You will however, agree that various considerations were to be taken into view, in officering the new army, and that where many interests were to be connected each could not be exactly in the niche appropriated by his expectations. With respect to General Macpherson's appointment to the office of Brigadier General. I observe, that Pennsylvania has furnished more troops for the Provisional army, under the denomination of volunteer companies, than all the other States, put together. These exceed a Brigade. Their numbers, then, as well as other circumstances, which you can easily imagine, required that the Brigadier, who was to command these companies and attend to their discipline, should be of the same State with themselves. Hence; a strong reason for the appointment in question, to which it will be proper to add, because it is a fact, that very many if not most of the volunteer companies of Pennsylvania, solicited in their offers of service to be placed under the command of General Macpherson. You will be the oldest Lt. Colonel in the new Army. Do not think of resigning, and rely always upon my friendly [undecipherable]. Yours truly James McHenry [left margin: undecipherable shorthand notation] Lt. Col. & C. Hall [address leaf: 11 Sept 1799 / Lt Col D. C. Hall / [undecipherable docket notation in multiple columns]]