- Trenton - 13 May 18. Dear Sir. I have the honour to communicate to you, that on the 6^th instant, I requested the President of the United States permission to resign the office of Secretary for the Department of war. To the above request, I added the proposition, that my resignation be considered as to take place on the first of June next, in order that I might be for a short time in a convenient situation, to explain to [undecipherable] or to my successor, any [undecipherable] the measures [undecipherable] by me as Secretary of war, [undecipherable] require elucidation, and also the motives to some of them, which were known to myself. The President answered, my requests were reasonable and re- agreed? I am making my arrangements for the removal of myself and family to [undecipherable] and [shall] not continue in an official situation longer ([undecipherable: probable reading "if so convenient"]) than the [first of] June. I have the honour to be with most regard & esteem De[ar Sir] Your ob^t [servant?] James McHenry [[undecipherable] who was nominated [undecipherable]] [[undecipherable] ate, with two other[s]] [[undecipherable] postponed.] [A copy of this anecdote sent to Go[undecipherable] with the exception of [undecipherable] note [undecipherable].] [Major General C. Cotesworth Pinckney]