I have recd. yours of this morning. I am glad to receive your confirmation of the merits of the son of Mr. Chapman. Of the merits of the father, and my great esteem & affection for him I need not speak to you. Should the intended application for a berth in the Academy at West point, for young Richard, be successful, it could not therefore fail to give me pleasure. But it wd. be agst. the rule I have observed in other strong cases, not to take part in recommendations to the source of such appts. a rule imposed on me by the number of resorts to me, & the difficulty of making just discriminations With cordial esteem