[L 31] War Department 30 Oct. 1798 Dear Sir. I have written to Generals Hamilton & Knox, calling them into service, and soliciting their presence as soon as possible, and in all events by the 10^th of Nov^r. proximos. I suggested also to the President, that it would be desirable I should be authorized to require the attendance of Lt. Gen. Washington, In answer to my letter to Major General Knox (who is dissatisfied with being so as to rank arranged the Third Major General) [strikethrough: ...] he has [undecipherable] in a letter dated the 23^d Inst. and received this morning, that he declines the appointment of Third Major General. Major General Hamilton in a letter dated the 19^th inst. informs me that he holds himself prepared to attend within the period I have appointed, and that he will [strikethrough: ...] be here about the 1^st of Nov^r. Lt. Gen. Washington writes me under date of the 23^d Inst. "It gives me very sincere pleasure to find by your letter of the 17^th received last night, that General Pinckney accepts his appointment in the army of the United States. "If it would not be too inconvenient for him to remain at the seat of government until the 10^th of next month (the ulterior day allotted for the assembling of the Majors generals at Trenton or Philada) and you would advise me thereof immediately, I would make every exertion in my power to meet them at that time" [strikethrough: I shall] advise Gen. Washington to-day that I expect to have the pleasure of seeing you and General Hamilton [strikethrough: then on] on or about the [undecipherable] of November [strikethrough: at Philipp—] or at [undecipherable: Philada?] proximos, and that [strikethrough: it shall] also be expected to see him at the same time & place if he can possibly make it convenient. [31a] [my object in [strikethrough: ...] concerning the [Officers?] I have mentioned] [undecipherable] My object in thus requesting your attendance and the attendance of the general Officers, is to derive from the knowledge they may have of the several characters, who have applied for military appointments, & others disposed to enter into the army [undecipherable] and necessary and in the selection and application of the most suitable to the different grades, and to prepare in conjunction with them a list for the Presidents final determination; and also to avail myself of their knowledge & experience in [undecipherable: digesting?] a report to be submitted for his approbation 1. relation [strikethrough: to] to the measures necessary to be pursued to give efficacy and insure success to the recruiting service. 2. [strikethrough: relative] to the [strikethrough: ...] distribution of the military force of the United States. 3 to the more certain, regular & oeconomical mode of provisioning the recruits and the troops in the field. 4 The quantity and kind of artillery, military stores and other articles necessary to be provided in addition to those in our magazines &c. and the proper places for occasional or permanent deposits of the same. I flatter myself it will be practicable for you to attend at the time before mentioned. With great respect & regard & Maj^t. Gen. Charles C. Pinckney [marginal notation, rotated: 30 Oct. [undecipherable]]