I returned to this place Yesterday, and this morning had the pleasure of recieving your’s of the 20th. Instant;1 for which and the papers enclosed in it, accept my thanks— they give me great Satisfaction— The one you desire to be returned, shall be enclosed with this Letter.2

Hamilton’s Rank is I fear still liable to question— your Remarks on that Head certainly have weight— Such Doubts should not be left to be brought forward or not, at some future Day, according to Circumstances— To me it appears important, that the relative Rank of Officers, and especially of General officers, should be decidedly ascertained known and acknowledged.

with respect to a certain Candidate,3 I concur with you in Sentiments4 as to the Impropriety of putting that person in the place proposed for him; and I not only approve but commend the Integrity which enduced you to oppose it. I think the president could not have been fully informed of the objections to which that nomination was liable, or he would have seen its Tendency to an Imputation of his too easily yielding to domestic Considerations; and that he would not have been entirely shielded from it by any presumption that the Generals arrangement would not have contained that name, if it ought to have been omitted— I suspect the General’s Information was imperfect, and that neither of them have Reason to Regret the Decision of the Senate.

Be so good as to send me a Copy of the Acts passed during the late session of Congress, to be laid before our Legislature; and believe me to be with great and very sincere Esteem Dr Sir Your most obt. Servt.