[undecipherable] War Office October 2. 1796. Sir, The situation of the Garrison at West point has for some time past attracted a considerable share of my attention. I had scarcely entered upon the duties of my office before I discovered those materials that so on after gave occasion to the [undecipherable] of inquiry upon the Commandant and produced the resignation of Captain [undecipherable], an [undecipherable] Officer which followed that event. You will perceive in the enclosed letters from and to that [undecipherable] our [undecipherable] [undecipherable], an instance of the anxiety which I have experienced and the mild means that I have employed to ameliorate [undecipherable] and restore harmony to the troops. It may be said generally speaking that the Officers at West point are of opinion that the Commandant does not possess a sufficiency of scientific or practical knowledge in his profession to enable him to be of much use to them as an Instructor. This is a painful [undecipherable] that I am unwilling to admit. I have however as far as [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] inspect and muster the men, and report the actual state of discipline and [undecipherable]; and I am sorry to add that there is but too much correspondence between his opinion and theirs. Ought this coincidence in Opinion to fix the charge of ignorance in his profession upon the Commandant. May not [undecipherable] have swayed him through the medium of innumerable prejudices and personal [undecipherable] and his judgement upon [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable: it is expected] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] principles [undecipherable] on [undecipherable] is however as it may, it is at least [undecipherable] that it is not even happy enough to satisfy them on the Inspector has no [undecipherable] misrepresents the practices [undecipherable] of the [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] it may [undecipherable] [undecipherable] common [undecipherable] the conscience of the officers which as has [undecipherable] and at the same time not retard their improvement. To separate the troops in parts or to detach from West point Companies to garrison the most important forts on the Sea Board is perhaps the most likely expedient to accomplish both purposes. By an arrangement of this kind the principal object might settle at West point from which place an instructed company could be sent to relieve any [undecipherable] and thus by that means were brought to [undecipherable] good [undecipherable]. A [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to acquire and to practice what could not [undecipherable] be done. One objection to such an arrangement as this is, the expense the public occasions in making these exchanges. I would submit, however, whether this expence of [undecipherable] will not be more than counteracted by the immediate satisfaction it would [undecipherable] on the troops and the saving to be derived from the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] companies again which have accumulated [undecipherable] from the United States to assist, and which if neglected must fill the [undecipherable]. Rather the immediate and most important [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] than they are at present. But to give a certain degree of [undecipherable] to the Corps, to enable the Officers to [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] it may be necessary in [undecipherable] to furnishing them with [undecipherable] to use, that [undecipherable] should be laid down [undecipherable] in the [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. As yet there is no system [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] in teaching the many essential things to be taught, the [undecipherable] for teaching the [undecipherable] as well as what shall be the practice, should be detailed and the observance of the rules strictly enjoined. If the regulations that have been established in the Artillery at [undecipherable] in France under the Monarchy, the utility of which has been so sensibly experienced by the Republic, were to be taken for a model or such of them adapted as would apply to the circumstances and situation of the Corps I should expect from such a measure the happiest effects. These regulations abstracted from the police of the institutions are divided into two parts, the one comprehending all that regards [underline: the Corps], the other whatever concerns [underline: the practice]. The first is peculiar to the Officers, the second in the practice concerns both Officers and Soldiers. Were similar regulations to be digested, printed and prescribed to the Corps by the President, and proper Masters provided to execute them, there can be no doubt as to its success. Every officer would then know what he had to learn himself, and what it was his duty to [undecipherable]. I cannot presume that I am qualified to form such a system as might meet your mature approbation, but it strikes me that even an imperfect one is referable to none. I shall therefore, should you be of opinion that Rules and regulations for the instruction of the Officers in the theory, and for the instruction of both them and the Soldiers in the practice should be formed, make the attempt with such lights and helps as I have or can acquire. In the mean while as till the proposed code can be compiled I would submit the following arrangements your consideration. 1. To augment the Garrison at [undecipherable] Island, [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] to about one Company at each place. 2 [undecipherable] to West point a person qualified to learn the Officers remaining their Mathematics the elements of Geometry, the fundamentals [undecipherable] of statical Mechanics and [undecipherable]. 3 [undecipherable] [undecipherable] taken from the Corps an opportunity to enjoy in [undecipherable] the same means of instruction. 4 to [undecipherable] a written report from time to time relative to the progress of [undecipherable] on [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] each detachment frequently separated by [undecipherable] Officers [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] to examine and give information of the state of [undecipherable] improvement of the Corps. W. [undecipherable] respectfully [undecipherable]