[undecipherable] War Department (111) 15^th Aug^t 798 [undecipherable] [undecipherable] I have written to the President stating [undecipherable] [undecipherable] directing [undecipherable] that the [undecipherable] the detail [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] ingredients of [preparing?] to [undecipherable] end, the means required [undecipherable] of [undecipherable] proportioned to the emergency, and the further [undecipherable]. That if the arrangement is to be commenced [undecipherable] prosecution in this [undecipherable] of the United States [undecipherable] to digest an arrangement, to communicate it [undecipherable] for his determination, to receive back that determination, and then to transmit the result to the parties, a great an [incalculable?] portion of time must be consumed. These re- jections led me to submit to him the following propositions, (viz^t) That the arrangement for the four [undecipherable] states and Vermont be made under his [im-] mediate direction commanding the aid, if necessary of Major general Knox and Brigadier general Brooks and [undecipherable] of their [undecipherable] States. That the arrange- ments for New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Mary[land?] to be [undecipherable] by myself with the aid of the general officers, and then [undecipherable] it [undecipherable] for his [undecipherable] administration, and that a [undecipherable] be required to take charge of [undecipherable] the arrangements including the cor- respondence from the States [undecipherable] to the [undecipherable] and of the general officers, and that [undecipherable] to [undecipherable] also to the President to [undecipherable] then. 3^d [undecipherable] That the distribution of the twelve regiments on this [undecipherable] to be raised in the States of New Hampshire, [Massachusetts?], Con[necticut?] [undecipherable] and Vermont, four in their States [undecipherable] and from the States of Virginia Maryland, [undecipherable] Carolina, [undecipherable], South Carolina and Georgia [undecipherable] [undecipherable] in completing this organization collectively, it may be advisable to transmit [undecipherable] so as to enable [undecipherable] as fast as possible. After [undecipherable] the last [undecipherable] of details [undecipherable] and the impossibility [undecipherable] without [undecipherable] assistance, it also [proposed?] to, and requested of the President that [undecipherable] be required [undecipherable] to [his?] aid the In- spector general and [undecipherable] general [undecipherable], and to charge them [undecipherable] the management of [particular?] branches of the [undecipherable] that [undecipherable] had already taken the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] general or nearly [undecipherable] from materials [undecipherable] [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] end. That it [undecipherable] not [undecipherable] the office of Inspector [General?] [undecipherable] and the other arranging the recruiting [undecipherable], and [undecipherable] the ways to the business of [undecipherable] That Major [general?] [undecipherable] to call him [undecipherable] men to be expensively [undecipherable], [undecipherable] and what time relates to the Ordnance That this [undecipherable] an abandon- ment of the [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] did not afford to give them time and [undecipherable] to the [undecipherable] and [undecipherable] ought it to be [expected?] or required, [that?] notwithstanding [undecipherable] was [assented?] to it [undecipherable] as the only [thing?], not merely because [undecipherable] the men would serve to [undecipherable] my responsibility but because [undecipherable] the [undecipherable] [undecipherable] great objects entrusted to me, among [undecipherable] competent assistants, is necessary to facilitate the prompt execution, and cannot but promote the public service. As I persuade myself, Sir, the President will accede to the last propositions and afford me the aid of your abilities; allow me to request you will hold yourself in readiness to take your station at Trenton, to which place the public offices will be removed on account of the prevailing epidemic at the seat of Government. I have been confined for some time by a bilious complaint but am now recovering, and expect in a few days to return to business as heretofore. I am, Sir, with much respect Your most ob^t Ser^t James McHenry Alex^r Hamilton Esq^r Inspector general of the armies of the United States