[Trenton 21 Sept[r.] Sec at War, recd. Augustin de Grasse. Bri Cutler] [undecipherable] War Department [undecipherable] Trenton 21 Sept[embe]r 1799. Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letters, bearing date the 23° & 30th of Aust. also of the 13th & 14th[,] of [undecipherable: probable "Sept."] next. [undecipherable] [I] find on recurring to the case of Augustus de Grasse, that he was left out of service for two reasons. 1st. Upon information that at his [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] gaming [undecipherable] has not [undecipherable] the government[undecipherable]. 2. Because he could not be made useful in the office of [undecipherable] for [undecipherable] he was paid. These are the chief circumstances which [undecipherable: probable "produced"] [undecipherable] discontinued. I [have] also made some inquiries respecting him, and cannot advise that he should be encouraged to expect an appointment in the corps of artillerists and Engineers. I believe I can explain the apparent wanderings of my letter dated the [undecipherable: probable "20th"] of Aug[ust] [undecipherable] which you inform me did not reach you before the 13th of Sept[embe]r next. The letter is entered in the books as if it had been written on the [undecipherable: probable "20th"] of Sept[embe]r. The misdate of course belongs to me, and as far[,] ought to relieve the post office from suspicion of neglect. Lieutenant [undecipherable] of the 6th Regiment of Infantry (North Carolina) has recommended, through Major General Hamilton a Doctor Roger Cutler, as Surgeon to his Regiment. Inclosed is also a recommendation in favour of the Doctor by W^m B. Grove. I request your orders relative to his appointment. I have the honour to be with the greatest respect Sir your most Ob^t & most h^ble S^t. James McHenry John Adams President of the United States Dear Sir Doc^r Roger Cutler of this State informs me, that some of his friends have written to you, Recommending him as Surgeon for the 6^th Reg^t Commanded by [undecipherable]. As I am personally acquainted with the D^r & I beg leave to add to the recommendation by assuring you, that he is a Man of distinguished Talents in his profession. he has a liberal Education [&] finished his Medical Studies at Edinbur[gh] & he has been in the practice of Physick at [undecipherable: probable "Fayetteville"] & Wilmington 12 years. & has acquired a handsome [undecipherable: probable "property"] and offers his Services more from Zeal & [undecipherable: probable "a"] taste for the Military, than from any other Cause. With Sentiments of Esteem [undecipherable: probable "& Respect"] I am D[ea]r Sir [undecipherable] W^m B. Grove [undecipherable] The Sec[retary] at War