Philad. 14 March 1797 my dear Hamilton The letter you sent me has been confined to myself, but the other letters you have written on the same subject, has in your [undecipherable] at least created some unpleasant feelings. Where opinions [underline: clash] [undecipherable], and where [undecipherable: suspicion?] is made too apparent something a little like [undecipherable: well?] envy comes into being [undecipherable: especially?] [undecipherable: a suspicion] [undecipherable: takes?] [undecipherable: place?] that pains [undecipherable], I [undecipherable] have this moment received the [undecipherable] inclosed, and I must intreat you to consider yourself [strikethrough: that you] on the ground you once occupied, and to [strikethrough: that] give me your answer at length [strikethrough: and] that I may avail myself of your experience knowledge and judgment in that [undecipherable] I have [undecipherable]. [strikethrough: You must] [strikethrough: that what you] [strikethrough: give to] me must be I have not time to go into all the details and research that is [undecipherable] you have all at your [undecipherable] ends. I rely upon your friendship [undecipherable] for a [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] to look for [undecipherable] opinion as soon as your [undecipherable] vocations will permit [undecipherable], and that you will not communicate to any person what[undecipherable] [undecipherable] communicated to you or what you may [undecipherable] to me. Send me with what you do for me the inclosed and [undecipherable] [undecipherable] of have no time to make a Copy There will be required for this situation of things in addition to existing [undecipherable] establishments, and the 3 frigates and 6 sloops of war the following force. For immediate service viz Two [undecipherable: regiments?] or corps of artillerists and Engineers: Two regiments of Infantry and six [undecipherable: Companies?] of Dragoons. [undecipherable: or?] For contingent service. viz An army of 15,000 regulars to be raised as aforesaid. Expence of the defensive force [undecipherable] calculating exclusive [undecipherable] [undecipherable: contingent army.] Dollars. Maritime fortifications. 100,000 3 frigates of 32 guns, manned [undecipherable: for?] 13 mo. 481,206 [strikethrough: to Sloops from] [undecipherable] [undecipherable: 18?] mo. 445,020 [undecipherable] 1 Regt. or corps of art & Eng. 12 m. 216,041 4 Companies dragoons, [undecipherable: bounty?], &c. 116,708 Quarter Masters depart. — 200,000 1,559,575 Expence of the defensive force upon the second calculation exclusive of the contingent army Maritime fortifications — 160,000 3 frigates & 6 sloops of war — 926,820 2 Regt. Art. & Engineers — 422,032 2 Do. Infantry — 202,000 6 Companies of dragoons. 175,062 Quarter Masters depart. B — 300,000 2,175,914 Upon a view of all circumstances, [strikethrough: and considering the] [undecipherable] [strikethrough: anxiety in] [undecipherable: the?] [undecipherable: United?] [undecipherable: States?,] it appears, expedient, that Congress should decide as soon as possible on the following propositions and make [undecipherable] accordingly. 1^st To provide for equipping & manning the three frigates Constitution United States & Constellation. 2 d. To provide for equipping and manning three additional frigates and six sloops of war. 3. To provide for an additional Regt. or corps of artillerists & Engineers and four companies of dragoons. 4. To enable the President to make arrangements for raising and [strikethrough: conserving?] and [strikethrough: forming a?] provisional army [strikethrough: and?] of [undecipherable: infantry?] [undecipherable: artillery?] and cavalry [undecipherable: not?] [strikethrough: exceeding two thousand] [undecipherable] Engineers and [strikethrough: 14,000?] infantry and [strikethrough: one thousand cavalry.] 5. To provide for the more effectual defence of the sea board by [undecipherable: adequate?] fortifications.