I thank you, My dear Sir, the prompt communication of the intelligence contained in your letter by yesterday. [undecipherable] As to the Regulations (if so I suppose you mean) that for the better discipline of the army — I must confess that hitherto I have done nothing more towards it than some preliminary reading & reflection — The undetermined situation & the necessity of a close attention to my Law business (which on a such a State I could neither abandon nor dismiss) has prevented my going more in respect to the matter in question. It will henceforth engage my particular attention but it ought not to be [undecipherable] [undecipherable: top of page damaged] the basis of another urgency for a change — of the [undecipherable] will fulfill [some?] useful [idea?] — It appears [that?] a draft with additions or innovations to organize & to raise the army are the immediate [underline: desiderata] — I shall be ready to attend your call [signature: undecipherable] P:S Young Rutlege, [aide-de-camp?] [aide-de-camp?] of General Pinckney [undecipherable] is himself desirous of [undecipherable] [undecipherable: top of page damaged] made upon an application [and?] previous consent of his father whose permission he has affixed — In the mean time I would suggest for your consideration the expediency of keeping open for him a Captaincy of Infantry. His connections & qualifications give him pretension to look to this — You will understand that he cannot now ask being not[?] [undecipherable] is allowed to accept; for and whatever is done must be [undecipherable: probable "provisional"] for [undecipherable]