It may seem strange to those, not acquainted with circumstances, that the office of State should be so long vacant; but causes, not within my power to controul, have occasioned it.

I have, at length, proposed to Colo. Pickering, to go from the War office into that of State, & he has agreed to do so: this, of course makes a vacancy in the former. Permit me, to ask you Sir to fill it.

I shall use no other arguments to induce your acceptance than such as candour dictates—these are, that I believe the duties of the Office will be well executed by you—that I conceive the appointment will be very agreeable to the public—and though of lesser consideration in a national point of view because it would be very agreeable to Dr Sir—Your Obedt Hble Servt