[Endorsement on exterior of letter: 28 [undecipherable] 1800 / To John Caldwell / accepting his resignation] War Department 20 May 1800 Sir. I have received your letter dated the 6^th inst, conveying your resignation of the office of Chief Clerk in the Department of war. It would have been more agreeable to me had your reflexions induced you to suspend this determination, at least until you had become acquainted with my successor, and he with you. I consider it important to the public, that the office of Chief Clerk, especially in the Department of war, should be filled with a person of Talents, tried discretion, of liberal education, and known fidelity to the interests of the U.S. Having found [strikethrough: those] requisites [strikethrough: undecipherable] in you, I wished to have consigned them [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] gentleman who is to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] with the practical knowledge you had acquired [undecipherable] the various business and functions of the Department. Well knowing the inadequacy of any compensation, in the power of the Secretary to grant, to secure the services of men the best qualified to discharge the duties of the office [undecipherable], I [undecipherable] find [undecipherable] with propriety cannot desire you to make any further sacrifice of your time, and profession, which in your own opinion is not required by circumstances or feelings. I therefore agree to and accept of your resignation to take effect the 31 day of the [undecipherable] honourably [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] with sincere respect and affection, your most ob[undecipherable] John Caldwell S^r