New York May 16^th 1800 Dear Sir — Were I to remain silent on the subject of your letter to me of the [undecipherable] 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 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 what-ever, gave cause [underline: for my resignation]. The Official correspondence which passed between us, on that occasion, will explain the principal motive which led to the measure — [underline: my infirm state of health] — Independent however of this circum-stance, I had upon cool reflection, conceived it a duty to look forward to some other employment, for the support of my-self 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, John Stagg J^r [James McHenry Esq^r Philadelphia]