War Office, 1^st August 1797 Sir, I have it in order from the President of the United States to lay before Your Excellency the Act herein enclosed, intitled "An Act authorizing a detachment from the Militia of the United States", passed the 24^th of June 1797. The object of this law being to provide and have in readiness a select and completely equipped and organized body of Militia fit for action, in all respects, the President in pursuance thereof requests that you will be pleased to take immediate and effectual measures to organize, arm and equip, and hold in readiness to march, at a moments warning, the detachment required to be so organized, armed and equipped by the State of Tennessee, agreeably to the said law and the act intitled "An Act more effectually to provide for the national defence; by establishing and uniform Militia throughout the United States, passed the 8^th May 1792. With a view to expedite the completion of the said detachment, the President has judged it expedient to authorize you to accept any independent [corps of] Artillery, Cavalry or Infantry as part thereof, provided they shall voluntarily engage as [corps] in the service. As it will be desireable to know the measures which Your Excellency may be pleased to adopt on this occasion, and from time to time the actual state of the detachment, it is earnestly requested that the Adjutant General may be instructed to make such returns and communications to this department, as may satisfy this object. With great respect I have the honor to be Your Excellency's obedient servant, James McHenry Secy. of war His Excellency The Governor of Tennessee