D^r F A. M^cNeil, is desirous of going the campaign to Mexico, as a surgeon, and he thinks that you, more probably than any one else, may have the power to give him the place– If it shall turn out that you hold the power, and can consistently with the claims of others, give him the appointment, it would very much gratify many of us here, and dissatisfy none– We regard him as a very sensible, and very clever man; and an excellent physician & surgeon–2

Gen^l Covell has just arrived here direct from Washington– I infer from some things he says, that some Loco foco rascality is in contemplation in relation ^to^ officering the army– He says that Shields, as well as Semple, is coming on, and doubless ^doubtless^ he came on himself with his eye upon a milatary office– He says, moreover, that a supplemental bill, to the army bill, had been introduced into one branch of congress, authorizing the President to appoint two Majors general, and four Brigadiers–3 This, in connection, with his expressions of doubt, as to whether Gen^l Scott, will proceed to the seat of war, induces me to think they ^even^ contemplate placing these new made heroes over the heads of Scott, Gaines, Taylor & others– Y0u will understand, while I do not, whether, by the organization of the army, this is possible– If it is possible, it is, in my opinion, decidedly probable– Let these conjectures of mine be confidential–