[undecipherable] [Docketing notes:] [Kingston [March] 12^th 1790] [att. [undecipherable] Vanderkamp] [This letter relative to a [undecipherable] of] [Militia.] To His Excellency General Knox Secretary at the War Department [undecipherable] New-york [To P. Vanderkamp] S^r. Although this letter may affect you from more Serious occupations for a moment, it will nevertheless, I believe, be honored with an attention [pointed?] in which opinion I am informed by a renown of that politeness which will be even favoured at our arrival in this State by your Excellency and his family — The Sight of a part of your plan for reforming our Militia, and my fear of that [undecipherable] armies [as] a Standing army, though covered with alluring clothing by adept Politicians, will steal the liberty [of] taking few moments of your leisure by a man of General Knox's disposition. It Seems to me, if it is not [intended?] in that part of your [plan?], which I fear not, and then Sir! I pray pardon for any forwardness. It Seems to me, that Something to make your plan efficacious, has [shaped?] your [notice?]. [My?] addition to [accomplish?] [the?] great part of it and [expense?] will be lost, [because] in [such?] [undecipherable] — pardon this word — [ignorance?] of the English language renders me to make use of another — [example?] — the [elements?] of [Science?] will be [learned?] by [experience?]. The [relation?] [to] and after part — if it is not recommended from Some other part, this [allowance?] is acquired by a military academy — [such?] and [similar?] during the life of the great [leaders?] will convince every man of this importance. [undecipherable] of my [ideas?] — Some [must?] be [submitted?] to [some?] [arrangement?] if they are approved by General Knox, to arrange from [some?] [plans?] — to [adopt?] and [execute?] it, and propose [to?] [close?] [regulations?] [plans?] and [plans?] [propositions?] and [legislation?] — fellow citizens toward him — I Shall say nothing of its duration — and the reasons [should?] [be?] enough — [undecipherable] the academy [undecipherable] The academy may consist of [unusual?] Professors — [teaching?] the young americans Arithmetical — Geometry — Algebra — [Trigonometry?] — Sections [undecipherable] — The geography in all its parts — [Engineering?] [arts?] of Fortifications — and Tactics with the projectile art and its [spirit?] [handling?] — During the encampment of the first [classes?], the academy Should Stay there — and in the mornings and intervals of [practice?] the Professors must give their lectures — Every man must attend them — every one must know the first Elements of mathematics. To this part will require the attendance of one or two more — After the disbanding of the army — the academy seat must be at the place of the Seat of government — and receive there to the following [reason?], and continue their lectures — but for [whenever?] at that time — find that young men as are judged — by a council of [undecipherable] and [such?] Professors [undecipherable] — to attain a [superiority?] in [any?] of [these?] [natural?] — in [one?] of the militia of every State, at the private expenses of the different States [undecipherable] during the winter season must provide their young men with a [bonus?] with [sufficient?] [undecipherable] — and two more of the best militia of every State at the expenses of the [eastern?] [States?]. Then a number of 29 young [men?] — [undecipherable]. The others, who study at their private expenses [will?] all be [commissioned?] in a new [year?] to the Advancement not alone of military knowledge — but of different [branches?] of Science, and [to?] affect their wholesome [information?], through the context of Americas — The Academy must be provided with the best library — of the best modern [books?] on mathematical and history — [Buffon?] — [Gibbon?] — [Baldo?] [Euler?] — [undecipherable] ([Friderici?]) [works?] — [Charles?] [Fred?] — [Marshall?] de [Saxe?] [commentaries?] and [undecipherable] with a [classical?] americain [undecipherable] — history — natural — [Political?] — moral — [undecipherable] — and [some?] — not eminent and most useful [foreign?] [writers?] ([English?] — [French?] — [German?]) for enrichment — The academy must be further [empowered?] [Professors?] [and?] [papers?] to [undecipherable] relating to any part or branch of this institution, [providing?] [undecipherable] answers — course the best with a medal — with [those?] to [foreigners?] to take part in it — [Thus?] I [have?] filled my [last?] — perhaps [this?] will be [meant?] a [fault?] or [drawing?] of at least [favor?], and then I will [remove?] alone the trouble — with the burden of it had given your Excellency — Wishing that all endeavours for the benefit of this brave country may be crowned with [success?], I join my most [humble?] respectful [compliments?] to your amiable Lady, and am with sentiments of highest esteem — Sir! Your most obedient and humble Servant F[ranciscus?] [Ad?] Vanderkamp. Kingston 12 March 1790.