[Docketed: J.D. 416 / from [undecipherable] Stagg Jr. / [undecipherable] 1800] Dear Sir. That I may be certain of your receiving my reply to your letter of the 24 inst., inclosed, I will thank you to favor me with a line per post. Yours most respectfully, JBStagg Jr 26 May James McHenry Esq. [Address: James McHenry / Esquire. / Philadelphia.] [seal] [Docketed: Major Stagg] New York, May 26^th 1800. Dear Sir. Were I to be silent on the subject of your letter to me of the 24^th instant, received this day, I should be doing injustice to your character, and an injury to my own feelings. Your conduct towards me, as Secretary of War, while I had the honor of exercising the duties of [underline: chief Clerk] in the War Office, was such as merited my esteem. The indulgence I experienced from you on many occasions, especially during a long and unavoidable absence, bears unequivocal testimony of your friendly disposition and kindness; and I do not hesitate to declare, that no act, or expression of yours, in any way whatever, gave cause for [underline: my resignation]. The official correspondence which passed between us on that occasion, will explain the principal motive which led to the measure — my infirm state of health — Independent however of this circumstance, I had upon cool reflection, conceived it a duty, to look forward to some other employment, for the support of myself and family, as no prospect presented to my view, that might have conveyed a distant idea of reward for long and, I may venture to say, faithful services to the public. I am, Dear Sir, Sincerely and respectfully, Your friend, and humble Servant. JBStagg Jr James McHenry Esquire. Philadelphia.