[Docket, verso: 28 May 1800 / To John Caldwel / 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 reflections 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, and discretion, of Liberal education, and known fidelity to the interests of the U.S. Having found [strikethrough: requisite] requisites in you, I wished to have consigned them together to the [undecipherable] gentleman who is to [undecipherable] my [undecipherable: trusting] him with the practical knowledge you had acquired of the various business and [undecipherable: 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] with [undecipherable: honesty] 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 [undecipherable] the 31 day of the [undecipherable] honourably [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] with [undecipherable] and affection, your most [undecipherable] John Caldwel S^r