24 Febry 1797. Dear Sir I inclose you a report which brings into view the several acts of Congress relative to the subject referred to you yesterday for your opinion. [strikethrough: Does] There remain in Congress, or the President a right to [strikethrough: continue] and arrange the dragoons in service as infantry after the [strikethrough: law] in question shall [strikethrough: past into a] Law? [strikethrough: current act of the] If the act of May 1796 appertaining to the dragoons be repealed, does it not amount to an absolute discharge of [strikethrough: both] privates as well as officers? and Can [strikethrough: Does it not appear that the clause on the first section of the act of May aforesaid and be construed to give the President any other power apply such to] men, [strikethrough: other] than a formal authority [strikethrough: when he may] expected [strikethrough: other if to] be in service, [undecipherable] enable him to oblige them while in service, [strikethrough: require them to] act — do duty on horse or foot; Can that power be considered to exist after the repeal of the said law which conferred it? I send you also a letter that I have just now received which will shew you the state of things on a part of the Indian frontier, and how necessary it is that these dragoons should not be disbanded. You will oblige me to return both; — yours very sincerely Charles Lee [24 Feb 1797 Charles Lee Attorney Gen^l U. S.]