[Illegible Text — Some or all of the pages of this file are wholly or in part illegible. We have not been able either to locate a better copy of the document, or to enhance its legibility electronically] Thoughts submitted to The President March 8, 1794 [undecipherable] constitution of [undecipherable] ought to be in a respectable military posture however [undecipherable] may come upon us. Whether we should or not and because [undecipherable] in a condition to defend ourselves and satisfy [undecipherable] who may [undecipherable] it will be the best method of securing our peace [undecipherable]. If it is enough that our tolerably maritime Ports are out of the reach of any [undecipherable] from & across the waters — and that this government has an efficient active force in the distance for offense or defense or in emergencies — these will demand the temptation to attack us and render much more hesitation to [undecipherable] it. I deem these are considerable 1. [undecipherable: To fix the Territorial force for the several States] [undecipherable] [undecipherable: to be able to call in their] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] or [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of the following [undecipherable] [undecipherable] I propose [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] rights [undecipherable] as [undecipherable] and a [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] These forces to be [undecipherable] upon the [undecipherable] term [undecipherable] — to be [enlisted?] for the term of [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. That if [undecipherable] should [undecipherable] with any [undecipherable] force — then [undecipherable] to be [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] from the commencement of [undecipherable] and also the same terms as the Troops of the establishment — To receive as already [undecipherable] with 12 Dollars of [undecipherable] — To be [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to encamp — when appointed to be [undecipherable] as the Troops of the establishment and have the same subsistence & rations. To be furnished with arms & accoutrements by the United States. To be mustered at the expiration of their term of service. The officers in time of war to rank & live with the Officers of the military establishment — The arrangement to cease ipso facto at the expiration [of within term about two years]. The expense of these additions would be For the Fortifications . . . . . . . . . . . [undecipherable] For the Aux[iliary] Corps [per annum] . . . . 350,000 [undecipherable] In addition to this the Legislature ought [undecipherable] the President of the United States to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] embargo [undecipherable] general [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of un-warlike [undecipherable] general. It may also [undecipherable] whether we [undecipherable] right not to take measures at home more direct — which should be [undecipherable] defense. The [undecipherable] Militia presents his [undecipherable] to the [undecipherable] submits to him [undecipherable] which have not been [undecipherable]. It may be interesting for the President to consider whether some such peace to [undecipherable] not be the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] & whether there right not to be some expedient in view. I have [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the President for his approbation of measures corresponding with the exigence of [undecipherable]. As far as this idea may be [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] & delicate ideas are involved in the consideration. The [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] proportional responsibility that equal [undecipherable] to be taken [undecipherable] [undecipherable] for war. March 8^th 1794.