[Reced [undecipherable] / July 28. [undecipherable]] [Ans[undecipherable]] General Alexander Hamilton The [undecipherable] [wax seal] Honored Sir, [undecipherable] I enjoy as a few with most of my Neighbours, to see You appointed Second in Command in the Armies of this Country. I can not omit to take the Liberty to address you Sir upon this so interesting Events in the full persuasion that the motive for doing it will be my best apologie —. Having Spent nearly fifteen years in actual military Life partly in the Hessian foot Guards partly in the Austrian Service under the immortal Marshall Wuermer, as well as under General Alviney then my Brigadier in the Bavarian Succession War, against the King of Pru[undecipherable: probable reading Prussia] and lastly two years in this Country under Generals Kniphausen & Lorsberg, — Having always during the Wars served on Horse in the Light Troops, in the Austrian Service with the Hungarians and in America having Commanded all the German Cavalerie we had here, the mounted Yagers or Rifflemen, I flatter myself that I could in the hour of real danger be of some Service to this my adopted Country, against a Ravagious Enemy, which ancient and modern Events have and will for ever make me hate, but more so since the detestable Reign of Jacobinisme, The Principles and their [underline: most dreadfull Effects] in Europe being well known to me — I should at once offer you Sir my Services but having taken with an other Gentleman untill the first day of may next, this Factory of contact, I can not without making too great a Sacrifice dispose otherwise of my self untill then. Nevertheless I shall be happy to obey at any time your orders at a few hours warning, under your immediate Command, having been always brought up to a very Strict discipline, I should Cut but a very poor Figure in the militia of this Country, altho denominated by some Learned Gentlemen, The Bulwark of the United States, as I am persuaded, that a great difference will be seen when French Soldiers Should Land, to what has been the Case in the Last war against the British, the one having fought by the month or year — the other side and must fight by the Job — to resist effectualy such desperate men, uncommon and probably desperate men will be wanting, which good Will alone without discipline, I am fearfull can not effect. Mean as my time is not wholy taken up with the Factory Concerns. If I can be of some Service in the [undecipherable] of the Country, either by training some mounted Riffe men, in a Troop of Husfars, which is [undecipherable] Service much for, soon would attracte some of the best young men in this Country to join [undecipherable]. I will without accepting any Emoloyments whatever and with the greatest pleasure & Satisfaction obey any Commands you will please to honor me with, can I only at last obtain your approbation which all well meaning Citizens in general, I trust think rewarded. I have the honor to be with great Regard My dear Sir, Your most obd^t Humble Servant. Hamilton. Fred^s Augustus de Zeng. July N^o 28. 179[undecipherable].