[Address leaf: War Department / James McHenry] [Addressed to:] Alex^r. Hamilton Major Gen^l. & c N. york [Endorsements, inverted: undecipherable] Philad 18 Dec. 1799 My dear Sir, I have received this moment your two letters of the 16 & 17^th instant, and have read them [undecipherable: possibly "curiously"]. [undecipherable], not without fully understanding them. I intend [strikethrough: that you should be employed in] the recruiting service [strikethrough] and [that] it [strikethrough] be wholly confided to your [undecipherable], and shall send you the printed instructions and a copy of the English system on which they are founded. It cannot however be entered upon immediately or until our cloathing is in more forwardness. It is certain, that you must have been a Looser in the way you mention, by accepting the office you now hold, and as certain, that justice requires that none of the pay or emoluments annexed to it should be refused. I shall as early as possible obtain a proper decision. I am preparing a report to the President, who has seen the two letters and all other papers of letters communicated to me by General Washington. I shall add some matters to the subjects for congressional provisions they embrace when it will be transferred to Congress by message. The idea of two companies of Hussars is judicious. Yours affectly. James McHenry [Gen Hamilton in]