West Point. May 10^th 1796. [Private.] Sir, The Situation of the Regiment in which I have the honor to Serve is Such, that after the most mature deliberation, I think the Silence which I have heretofore observed [undecipherable] on the Subject of the unhappy [undecipherable] which arose between Col. [undecipherable] & the Officers. I have my motives for taking the liberty to address you in private, [which] will be my apology when I declare that without entering into the merits of each event, I mean to offer a few observations [dictated] by prudence, with no other view than to endeavour to propose means by which the existence of the Corps may be preserved & the unhappy fate of an Eclat avoided. Infirm & prejudices may often lead men out of the Path which on cool reflection they would choose to follow — A little [undecipherable] brings [us] to be an object under a different light from what it appeared at first view. The thought of having attacked the honor of an officer without having perhaps duly weighed the motives & the consequences has Something exceedingly cruel and, particularly [as] that reflection is deeply, an opportunity to cause [undecipherable] to a Suspicion that nothing [undecipherable] was [undecipherable] initially wished for. Matters have gone so far that they cannot rest where they Stand, but for the good of the Service, as well as for the attainment of truth, I think that a Court of Inquiry would be preferable to a Court Martial & would be convened more easily; it would lead farther than to a mere investigation & [a final?] charges but it would complete the chain of Circumstances & events from which originated the unhappy Situation in which we unhappily find ourselves. An arrest of the [undecipherable] accused not being necessary in a Court of Inquiry, there would be less publicity, less confusion & fewer inconveniences in the delays which a fair investigation may require; besides it would always be afterwards if necessary possible to have it come to a Court Martial. I declined entering in any particulars respecting that affair, I therefore do not know what Evidences may be wanted hereafter. But if it was possible without ordering away, with regard to [undecipherable] part of the troops at this moment, I am confident that it would have the most happy effect; First by the departure of Some persons who may want to add fuel to the fire, blended perhaps on purpose — Secondly it would present a new object to the thoughts engrossed how entirely by the late events. Duty notwithstanding that distress has not suffered in the least. The Officers behave with civility & great decency, the Service is performed with as much if not more punctuality than before; but there is a fermentation which it is of the utmost importance to prevent from bursting in upon measures, a Misfortune dreadful in its consequences on the minds of our Soldiers. I Should be more explicit on the Subject if by what I understand from M^r. Pintelo I had not been accused already of having taken a part in this affair, which by what he observed may involve one [in] all its consequences. As you have been informed that the [undecipherable] had as much reason to complain of me than of Colonel Rochefontaine — As then as as I received the letter of M^r. Pintelo, I wrote the enclosed to the Officers but received yet no answer — It would be exceedingly unhappy were it to exist currently any fresh difficulties, but my honor is too dear to me, to let a [undecipherable] period pass without Notice. I therefore Shall await the answer of the officers & beg leave to notify you in the most pressing manner, that Should it be thought by you of the most distant necessity, you may be [undecipherable] to look on my conduct & [undecipherable] I am with the Corps a Court of Inquiry, as if M^r. [undecipherable] had made a public application for it. My Col. may have Sometimes offended & I never Know how to [undecipherable]. But [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] the evil [undecipherable] or misbehavior to my notice. Before I conclude permit me to offer you my thanks for the delicate attention of including me in the new Establishment notwithstanding the advance which you directed to be made to me — It is a great consolation, [undecipherable] in a Corps where unanimity is wanted, to be under the [undecipherable] of a Secretary of War who wishes to make the Officers happy — To you Sir, I owe [undecipherable] (the peace of mind which I enjoy, as you would have [undecipherable] from my wife at a Moment when I should have [undecipherable] as this; exceedingly miserable — I expect for some time past her delivery every hour — as soon as She is able to be [removed] I Shall hasten to request your orders wherever you Shall wish to Send me — The Paymaster is requested by me Not to continue my name in the Pay Rolls. Excuse the, perhaps too great, liberty which I take to address you in private. The urgency of the circumstances alone could induce me to take up part of your time which considering the importance & multiplicity of your affairs might not, without, be encroached upon by unnecessary letters. With the Most respectfull consideration I have the honor to be, Sir Your Most Obedient & Very humble Servant — E. S. Ulrich Rivardi Major A. & G. The Honorable James McHenry Secretary of War