[undecipherable] 1799 [b. Sitgreaves —] [Militia claims] [Easton P. a Nov 10. 99] [underline: Free] [underline: Private] The Honorable James McHenry, Secretary of War Philadelphia [underline: Mail] Easton Nov^r 10. 1799 Dear Sir, The mail of the 7^th inst. brought me your Letter dated at Trenton on the 19^th October — I attribute the delay to its having been addressed to Philadelphia, instead of this Place. Tomorrow the Court begins here, which will keep me engaged during the Week. So soon as it is over, if nothing else should occur to divert my Attention from the Subject of your Letter, I will give it all the Reflection of which I am capable. My first Impressions suggest no single Consideration on the Theory of the Constitution and Laws in favour of the Claim, and I should be able perhaps to think more correctly about it if I knew the Arguments upon which it is founded. I have some indistinct Recollection of a Precedent in the last Congress, which at the time when it was under Discussion I thought equally unjustifiable and believed it to have been yielded to from a Desire to keep the Southern States in some Sort of tolerably good Humour with the General Government — a Concession however in my Judgment more weak than politic — If your Leisure will allow you to give me some further Information, it may enable me more satisfactorily to comply with your Wish. I am this morning favoured with your answer to the Application with which I troubled you on the Subject of Cap^t Shoemaker — I am Dear Sir very respectfully, and with sincere Regard, Yours &c Sitgreaves Hon M^r McHenry