[undecipherable] War department, March 2 1792. Sir, I have the honor respectfully to submit to your view the following facts and circumstances relative to the promotion shortly to take place in the first and second regiments, in order to enable you to make such determination as may best promote the public interests. The idea is submitted that the Lieutenant colonel commandant will be promoted to a Brigadier. If this promotion should take place, the office of lieutenant colonel commandant of the first and second regiments will both be vacant. Major Hamtramck, the senior major [undecipherable] and as an excellent disciplinarian — [undecipherable] Towns in the fall of 1790, which did not appear to have such a result as to mark the commandant with any eclat or as possessing uncommon talents. It has been alledged that the militia were disorderly which is probably well founded. Secondly. His retreat on the 8^th of November last when advanced seven miles from Ft. Jefferson towards the army. It appears on hearing of the defeat he had a council with a few of his officers, detached an officer and forty men to meet the flying troops, and then returned with the regiment under his command to Fort Jefferson. It is to be understood, that the first regiment had not any provisions, and that there were none at the fort, and this is given as one of the excuses for this retreat. It is to be considered, how far these two circumstances, in which Major Hamtramck is placed, indicate him as a proper person to be promoted to the command of the first regiment [undecipherable] Major Zeigler is the second major. While the major's fitness as a captain, and even a major, is conceded, it is very questionable whether he has talents sufficient to command a regiment of the magnitude proposed. He has lately had some disagreement with M^r Hodgdon, the quarter master general, relatively to a payment which he ordered, and which M^r Hodgdon refused. The major has offered to resign. The major seems to have mistaken his situation greatly. By being in the accidental command of Fort Washington, he fancies himself the commanding general. An officer is arrested and a court martial is ordered, and sentences the officer to be cashiered. The officer fears the sentence of the court, and offers to resign, and the major accepts the commission. This he had no right to do, as the articles of war are explicit on the point, and which articles were in the major's possession. Were the former to be believed by the ma[undecipherable] information, it might be well to accept it — But, the [undecipherable] command is, major ball, who, it is presumed, com[undecipherable] [undecipherable] against him[undecipherable] all vacant. If Hamtramck should be promoted, then there would be four vacant majorities to be filled in the first and second regiments. The four oldest captains of the first regiment are — Strong — a plain brave man but without any considerable abilities. Smith — brother to Col William S. Smith — brave, but not very attentive. Athelton — a plain, brave man. Beally — a plain, modest, brave man — brother to Col. Beally. It is to be observed, that these Officers are entitled to promotion, by the right of seniority, according to the principles fixed in 1780, and established since the present government. The captains of the second regiment are older officers of the late war. But, having come into [undecipherable] occasioned by reviving the former rank, would not be so lively as when those, who were formerly junior, shall be promoted over their heads in the same regiment. It is therefore submitted that as many of the captains be promoted to majorities, in the movements, as may be consistentis with the other general principles which will govern in the appointments. While this arrangement will be a sort of accommodation to the captains of the second regiment, it is presumed that they will make as suitable majors as may [undecipherable] be found. But difficulty will still remain, by major Zeigler not being promoted. For the officers who are retained by that circumstance will consider themselves as injured, and this will probably retard, and perhaps the captains of the second regiment, if a new person should be brought in over their heads. It will be perceived that this measure will affect every officer in both regiments, and in some sort, be a breach of an implied contract on the part of the public. [The] circumstance is to [undecipherable] [at] the head of the regiment, whose heart should be found and brave, but whose head and talents would not promise much.