[15 Oct^r. 1798 President of the U. S. [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable]] War department October 15^th 1798 Sir, I had the honor to receive your letter of the 30^th of September also enclosing commissions for the three Major Generals of the Army of the United States, signed and dated on the same day. On contemplating the communications which may be expected from this department, at the time of presenting his Commission to each of the Generals, I found myself embarrassed respecting the course you meant I should pursue upon the occasion. It was my earnest wish to avoid the renewal of a subject that had already been attended with too many unpleasant circumstances, by returning the question upon you for more precise instructions. After considerable deliberation I at last was induced to transmit the Commissions to Generals Hamilton and Knox, and to inform them, that I considered the Order of nomination and approval by the Senate as determining their relative rank. I have also written to Generals Hamilton and Knox, calling them into service, and soliciting their presence as soon as possible, and in all events by the 10^th of November proxima. This measure has appeared to me indispensable; the mode proposed in my letter of the 4^th of August also, for selecting proper characters as Officers for the new Regiments being now impracticable, without postponing the appointments to a very late period. It would be desirable also that I should be authorized to require the attendance of General Washington. My design is, to derive from the knowledge the Generals may have, of the several characters, who have applied for military appointments, and others disposed to enter into the Army, effectual and auxiliar aid, in the selection and application of the most suitable to the different Grades; and to prepare in conjunction with them, a list for your final determination. And also, to avail myself of their knowledge and experience in digesting a report, to be submitted for your approbation relative to the measures necessary to be pursued, to give efficacy and ensure success to the recruiting Service, — to the distribution of the military force of the United States, — the most certain, regular and oeconomical mode of provisioning the recruits, and the troops in the field; — the quantity and kinds of Artillery, military Stores and other articles necessary to be provided in addition to what we already have in our Magazines and Arsenals, and the proper places for provisional or permanent deposits for the same. I also purpose to assign to the two Major Generals, Hamilton and Knox such branches of the Military Service as were suggested in my letter of the 14^th of Aug^t. also. I should, Sir, certainly consider it my duty to report to you upon the several subjects above stated, without the assistance of the General young Officers, but it is believed to be the practice, and a judicious and salutary practice, in every government in Europe, for the Minister of War to avail himself of the opinions and aid of the most experienced military Officers of the country, and to prepare in concert with the most confidential of them, plans of Campaigns, and all great arrangements connected with the military Service. By thus setting out with a system, and calculating its expenses, we shall be better prepared to meet them, and will only be liable to embarrassment, in consequence of the unforeseen exigencies, which are the inevitable attendants upon a State of Warfare. I take the liberty of respectfully suggesting the censure, which will attach particularly to the department of War, should the appointment of the Officers for the new Regiments, and in consequence, the recruiting Service, be longer delayed; that complaints are accumulating from all quarters, and that the ardour of the country may soon subside to a temperature unfavorable to the attainment of Soldiers from the most eligible description of our Citizens; and that, with all the expedition which can be used in this business, I have my apprehensions, whether recruiting can be commenced, as things are situated, before the meeting of Congress. Permit me therefore to observe, that the presence of the President appears both important and desirable to give the utmost facility and effect to these measures. With the greatest Respect, I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obed^t & Hble Servant, James McHenry John Adams Esq^r. President of the United States.