[undecipherable] War Department Trenton 4^th September 179[undecipherable] I received the most recent letter [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] dated the 14^th instant, and the [undecipherable] representations [undecipherable] recommendations [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the Government [undecipherable] [undecipherable] not on [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] sentenced at a General [undecipherable] Court Martial [undecipherable] that [undecipherable] on the [undecipherable] of November 1798 to be hanged by the neck for deserting the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] retaining the [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. The crime for which he has been [undecipherable] as sentenced [undecipherable] aggravated [undecipherable] eloping [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable], to make his escape from confinement [undecipherable] [undecipherable] last recent [undecipherable] he was centinal and has [undecipherable] [undecipherable] many [undecipherable] reasons [undecipherable] [undecipherable] The Prisoner is [undecipherable] to escape [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and one of [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] Voluntarily because it seems there has been [undecipherable] men [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in our [undecipherable] [undecipherable] circumstances [undecipherable] any [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] men of great consequence in this country and influence to reduce a poor soldier a [undecipherable] for which they themselves were most deserving of punishments. The Presidents commutation [undecipherable] I [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the Indian victories, you may make a most solemn [undecipherable] [undecipherable] him. He may receive his pardon at the lines where it may be announced that it will be the last time justice will be pardoned. [undecipherable] me [undecipherable], I [undecipherable] mention [undecipherable] this case in no power, [undecipherable] [undecipherable] when more conducive to the good of the service, and as an instrument of pardon to be filed in the War Office. I am Sir with great respect your obedient servant James McHenry [to:] General Alexander Hamilton