[Private] Washington Oct^r 17. 1800 Dear Sir, I have this day had the pleasure of your letter of the 29 ultimo. I have conceived it a duty to inform you of all that I can from time to time, relative to any [undecipherable] at may immediately affect you at Present every thing seems hanging in Suspense, relative to the army, and the [undecipherable] of the affair. — A few days ago I conversed freely with the Secretary of War on this subject, among other things I observed to him, that it was extremely difficult to fill the office, justly qualified to be Paymaster — that our best revenues resulted from the frequent promotion of Paymasters to Captains, at the moment when they had by experience [undecipherable] but just become good Master of their duty as Paymaster, this he conceded to in some degree took occasion to observe to him, that both depletions and compleatly, Sha had been able to [undecipherable] your people M^r M^cCale who were well qualified for the business, and suggested that they Could not be so usefully employed or render so much important service to the [undecipherable] in any other Military Capacity, as in that which they they now acted, and that it would be good policy to have them by law Continue to act in their respective Spheres. — his Answer was that the Commanding General being the proper responsible Officer for this, the well being of the Army, and that a measure of this kind would be more properly suggested by him — I then wrote a letter in general terms on the Subject to General Wilkinson, who answered me that a Continuance of the deputies would be incompatible with his arrangements, that the two deputies were ordered on to Settle their accounts, and then to join their Companies. — The Consequence will be that his army will remain too long a time unpaid. — for I am of opinion that I cannot with any Colour of propriety be taken from the seat of Government for a year or two, having [undecipherable] my hands, such many accounts to Settle for money advanced by me to my deputies, which the law enjoins on me the accounts [undecipherable] with them. Besides General Wilkinson will I suppose be opposed to the measure [undecipherable] from its being suggested by me. — and therefore, at present every thing Stands Suspended — But there is one other matter of yet more Serious importance, to him, to me, to you and all honest men. I mean the certain change in the administration of our Government. M^r Jefferson's election is Counted upon now as a certain event, and I believe it will take place, indeed I have been of the opinion for a year past; I am now Confirmed in it. When this takes place it is Supposed by whig Men, that a Complete change will be made of all the Ministers — heads of Departments, that the Navy will be hauled up — the Army disbanded, our foreign Ministers Called home, our domestic arrangements of Officers generally New modelled, &c &c — but for my own part I do not foresee so universal a Change — the four great departments, must exist, the heads may be Superseded — But I do not believe the new Government will define to deeply in Systems as to Change the interior order of order of things, which has undoubtedly been founded in mature wisdom, and executed with perhaps as much honesty as Commonly falls to the lot of human nature — I therefore would not wish to believe the expected administration, can be so weak as to go into a thorough innovation — nor do I believe it. A short time will however tell us more about it. General Wilkinson Seems deeply affected with the approaching disastrous events. — he is about going out to Canton the troops, joining them on the Ohio perhaps between the Muskingum & Sciota. his Boys are going to College, and they Say his Salary to the [undecipherable] Cushing Opens an Inspector office at the Seat of Government; all officers that Can be found &c are Sent on the recruiting Service, all the Corps authorised by law will be filled up by next Spring the recruiting Service prospers — We have very little reason to Suppose our affairs with Spain will be accommodated — we don't hear a word from the Commissioners. Negro, insurrections disturb the Southern people — domestic factions agitate