[Endorsement: [undecipherable: Secretary at] War / Letter from / Governor [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] / 1791 / Dec 5 —] War department December 5^th 1791. Sir, The letter of his Excellency Governor Randolph, dated Council Chamber, November 25th 1791, was received by the last post, and submitted to the President of the United States. And, I am directed, Sir, by the President, to inform you that having confided the defence of the exposed counties of the South western parts of Virginia, to the executive thereof, he feels satisfied that the defence will be proportioned to the object, and that the means to be employed will be such only as he is authorized by the laws to use for the defensive protection of the frontiers. In raising therefore the company of militia mentioned in the aforesaid letter of the 21 of November, the President of the United States requests, that it may be clearly understood, that he conceives the law passed the 30th of April 1790, authorizes him to call out mere militia, who shall be entitled to receive the same [underline: pay and subsistence] only, as the troops of the United States, which are specified in the said law. To this may be added, such means of transportation as shall be indispensible; but, he cannot promise either bounties, clothing, or any other compensation, than the pay and subsistence before mentioned. I have the honor to be Sir, with great respect, Your very humble Serv^t H Knox Sec^y of War His Excellency Henry Lee Esq: Governor of Virginia.