WAR DEPARTMENT, May 29, 1794. SIR, I AM instructed by the President of the United States, to transmit to your Excellency, the Act herein enclosed, entitled, "An act directing a detachment from the militia of the United States." In pursuance of this law, the President desires, that you will take effectual measures, as soon as may be, to organize, arm, and equip according to law, and hold in readiness to march at a moment's warning, [handwritten: five thousand Men horseback?] officers included. The field officers, to be either the officers themselves, or others at the option of the Constitutional authority in your State. But it will be necessary that the organization of the full Corps be conformable to the act passed the 8th of May, 1792, entitled, "An act to provide more effectually for the national defence, by establishing an uniform militia, throughout the United States." The President deems it expedient, to authorize your Excellency, to accept any independent corps of cavalry, artillery, or infantry, in lieu of the detachment, to amount of [handwritten: four thousand three hundred and eighteen militia]. Provided they shall, voluntarily equip themselves according to law. The rank, service and allowances of the detachment, are mentioned generally by the fourth Section of the said Act. But it is conceived proper, that the pay, rations, and forage, be more explicitly specified as follow — to wit: | Rank. | Monthly pay. | Rations per Day. | Forage per month. | |---|---|---|---| | Major General | One hundred sixty-six | | Dollars. | | Briga. General | One hundred and four | | Sixteen | | Lieut. Col. Commandant | Seventy-five | Twelve | Sixteen | | Major | Sixty | Six | Twelve | | Captain | Fifty | Four | Ten | | Lieutenant | Thirty | Two | [undecipherable] | | Cornet | Twenty-six | Two | Six | Cavalry. | | Ensign | Twenty | Two | | | Surgeon | Twenty-five | Two | Ten | | Surgeon's Mate | Thirty | Two | Six | | Sergeant Major | Eight | One | | | Quarter Master Sergeant | Seven | One | | | Sergeant | Five | One | | | Corporal | Five | One | | | Fifer | Four | One | | | Musician | Four | One | | | Private | Three | One | | The ration of provisions to consist of one pound of beef, or three quarters of a pound of pork, one pound of bread or flour, half a gill of rum, brandy, or whiskey, or the value thereof at the contract price, where the same shall become due, and at the rate of one quart of salt, two quarts of vinegar, two pounds of soap, and one pound of candles to every hundred rations. It is the earnest desire of the President that your Excellency would immediately take the most effectual means that the whole of the quota of [handwritten: New Jersey] not comprised within the foregoing requisition, be armed and equipped according to law: The people of the United States exceeding rapidly in wealth, population, and importance among the nations, ought not to indulge the expectation of being exempt from those agitations and dangers, which are indispensable from the human character. But it is our highest duty, that we should be in a perfect condition to preserve and defend ourselves, against every injury to which we may be liable as a nation. The President therefore hopes for a prompt and unlawful compliance with the law, as a measure upon which under the protection of Heaven, our freedom and security may depend. It is requested that you would be pleased to transmit as early as may be, the information of the measures which may be adopted in the State of [handwritten: New Jersey] in consequence of this letter. I have the honor to be, with great respect, Your Excellency's Most obedient Servant [undecipherable: H Knox] Secretary of War. His Excellency the Governor of [handwritten: New Jersey]